OFFENDER Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

offender

noun

Definition of offender

as in criminal

a person who has committed a crime juvenile offenders have their criminal records sealed when they turn 18

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of offender Sehnaoui's meeting with the Israeli leader occurred as some in Lebanon have called for abolishing a 1955 law that bans dealing with Israel or having contacts with Israelis and punishes offenders with up to 10 years in jail. — ABC News, 29 July 2026 Because of his previous felonies, though none for violent crimes, Pfister could now be defined as a habitual offender under Michigan law and faces prison. — Kyung Lah, CNN Money, 25 July 2026 That’s like staying in the dugout during a bench-clearing brawl after a pitcher plonks a batter, then offering the offender a handshake the next inning. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026 The top offender is Chicago, which was found to have the highest rate of bed bug infestations for the sixth year in a row. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 23 July 2026 The current penalty for disclosure violations is $200 for first-time offenders. — Justin Papp, CNBC, 22 July 2026 What Should Never Go in the Fridge Door The biggest offenders are highly perishable foods. — Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 21 July 2026 Honest mistakes are less likely to incur severe penalties, especially for first-time offenders with a good compliance history. — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 20 July 2026 Numerous programs are being implemented to attempt to reduce the probability of recidivism through education and counseling and to reintegrate offenders into society. — Ronald J. Allen, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for offender

Noun

More than a year earlier, Arlington, Massachusetts sent four straight monthly payments totaling $446,000 to a criminal who had impersonated a real vendor and asked to switch from paper checks to electronic transfer.

— Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Do not ignore a small charge because criminals sometimes use minor transactions to test an account.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of criminal

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offended

offender

offenders

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“Offender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offender. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of offender

noun

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