as in illegal
contrary to or forbidden by law
people should know with certainty that criminal behavior will be punished
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in offender
a person who has committed a crime
car thieves, pickpockets, burglars, and other criminals
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of criminal
Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
The 15-year-old boy is charged with criminal homicide, carrying a firearm without a license, possession of a firearm by a minor and tampering with/fabricating physical evidence.
—Michael Guise, CBS News, 14 June 2026
Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
According to the city website, Bates aims to hold violent criminals accountable and restore safety and justice to the city.
—Adam Thompson, CBS News, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for criminal
Adjective
In all, 63 people were arrested, with charges including assault on a police officer, criminal possession of a weapon, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.
—Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
The 15-year-old boy is charged with criminal homicide, carrying a firearm without a license, possession of a firearm by a minor and tampering with/fabricating physical evidence.
—Michael Guise, CBS News, 14 June 2026
Noun
Director Mike Hodges uncorks him as a criminal with a good — albeit violent — heart, who is capable of true masculine terror.
—Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
According to the city website, Bates aims to hold violent criminals accountable and restore safety and justice to the city.
—Adam Thompson, CBS News, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for criminal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for criminal
Adjective
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Louisville police say anything that goes into the air or explodes is illegal for average citizens.—
James Bruggers,
The Courier-Journal,
5 July 2017
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Official fireworks shows took place over the city, and illegal pyrotechnics lit up the sky everywhere in between.—
Lisa Beebe,
Los Angeles Magazine,
5 July 2017
Noun
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The offender fled in a red SUV in an unknown direction.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
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The program, which is likely to run in the afternoons or evenings, and would be open anyone looking to change careers, returning veterans and ex-offenders, Awwad said.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
14 June 2026
Adjective
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The filing, submitted in the San Diego County Superior Court, seeks a judge’s order to condemn and destroy the embargoed kratom products, halt ongoing unlawful manufacturing and impose civil penalties.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
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Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote in the court's opinion that unlawful drug use alone cannot be grounds to seek to send someone to prison and potentially force them to give up firearms for life.—
Devin Dwyer,
ABC News,
18 June 2026
Adjective
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The schemes involve a predator pretending to be a teenager online and tricking victims into sending illicit photos of themselves.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
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Beyond the more familiar terrain of diabetics, IVF patients, people using hormone therapy, and intravenous users of illicit drugs, people have been turning themselves into lab rats for new wellness frontiers.—
Matthew Sedacca,
Curbed,
16 June 2026
Adjective
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Eljay Crisp-Carr, 20, was taken into custody Thursday and charged with 11 counts of felonious assault.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
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The Toledo Police Department said a manhunt is underway for Ka Nye Taylor, who is wanted on 11 counts of felonious assault in connection with the June 6 shooting near the popular Old West End Festival, an annual event featuring live music, food vendors and home tours.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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The incident, which was part of a double-whammy of violent encounters for the hijacker that day, was preventable and should have been better controlled, according to a wrongful-death suit filed by Jazzmyn Byrd, the daughter of a man who was shot during the hijacking.—
Alex Nettles,
AJC.com,
11 June 2026
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Though the Sheriff’s office refuses to take any responsibility, their wrongful arrest has all but destroyed Richardson’s previous life.—
Joe Wilkins,
Futurism,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Criminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criminal. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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