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Showing results for criminal. Search instead for criminologi.
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 remaining incidents lack sufficient evidence to support filing criminal charges, according to the district attorney’s office.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

Jade Tubb, Nikolli's partner, of Walsall, also admitted conspiracy to possess criminal property and was handed a 12-month sentence, which was suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 200 hours of community service.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

Often associated with the online “manosphere,” Tate and his brother, Tristan Tate, have been under criminal investigation in Romania since 2022.

From Salon • Apr. 14, 2026

Authorities detained Hui in 2023 while they investigated him for suspected criminal offenses.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

The first and arguably most important point is that criminal justice reform efforts—standing alone—are futile.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

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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