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Showing results for criminal. Search instead for criminolo.
Definitions

criminal

[krim-uh-nl] / ˈkrɪm ə nl /
ADJECTIVE
lawless, felonious
Synonyms
STRONGEST
corrupt deplorable illegal illegitimate illicit scandalous senseless unlawful vicious
STRONG
bent heavy racket wildcat wrong
WEAK
caught crooked culpable dirty hung up indictable iniquitous nefarious off base out of line peccant shady smoking gun unrighteous villainous wicked
Antonyms
STRONGEST
authorized blessed ethical good kind lawful legal legitimate moral noble proper pure right uncorrupt
WEAK
correct righteous
NOUN
person who breaks the law
Synonyms
STRONGEST
convict crook culprit felon fugitive gangster hoodlum hooligan lawbreaker mobster offender thug
STRONG
bad guy bad person baddie baddy blackmailer con delinquent desperado deuce evildoer guerrilla heavy hood hustler jailbird malefactor mug muscle outlaw racketeer repeater scofflaw sinner transgressor trespasser wrongdoer yardbird
WEAK
bad actor black marketeer ex-con inside person slippery eel
Antonyms
STRONGEST
police
WEAK
law

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“The sponsor may be subject to criminal prosecution for aiding your illegal entry.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2026

Ahead of Saturday's demonstration, the Met Police issued a statement warning of "criminal offences", and urging people to reflect on the "potential consequences" of attending.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

Greater Manchester Police Inspector Chris Hadfield said: "This additional funding strengthens our commitment to Project Servator and will allow us the opportunity to expand the work we do in disrupting criminal activity."

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

No criminal charges have been filed against Sabogal in San Bernardino County, according to court records.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

Lyttyrboks’s criminal felines had survived their exile—and their descendants were right here!

From "Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat" by Johnny Marciano and Emily Chenoweth

Vocabulary lists containing criminal

Way Off: Synonyms for "Wrong"

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Module 1: Vocabulary Video Words

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Crime and Punishment

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