crim·i·nal
ˈkri-mə-nᵊl 
ˈkrim-nəl
1
: relating to, involving, or being a crime
criminal neglect
a criminal organization
2
: relating to crime or to the prosecution of suspects in a crime
criminal statistics
brought criminal action
the criminal justice system
3
: guilty of crime
also
: of or befitting a criminal
a criminal mind
4
: disgraceful
It's criminal how unfunny this comedy is.—
Rick Bentley
Rick Bentley
criminally
adverb
1
: one who has committed a crime
2
: a person who has been convicted of a crime
Synonyms
Examples of criminal in a Sentence
Adjective
a history of criminal behavior
The captain of the wrecked boat was accused of criminal negligence.
The company brought criminal charges against her.
It's criminal that the government is doing nothing to stop the problem.
Noun
car thieves, pickpockets, burglars, and other criminals
Recent Examples on the Web
Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 18 Jan. 2025
Over the course of 49 pages, the plea agreement describes an array of criminal acts involving Saavedra and other unnamed sheriff’s deputies, who allegedly harassed and threatened people to intimidate the crypto mogul’s enemies and further his criminal aims.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
Boaz Sobrado, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
This legislation is a common-sense solution to protect property owners, hold criminals accountable and restore faith in the rule of law.
—Ryan Nawrocki, Baltimore Sun, 19 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for criminal 
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Adjective
Spencer, who lives in East Harlem, is charged with murder, criminal weapons possession and criminal use of a firearm, according to police.
—Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 18 Jan. 2025
Over the course of 49 pages, the plea agreement describes an array of criminal acts involving Saavedra and other unnamed sheriff’s deputies, who allegedly harassed and threatened people to intimidate the crypto mogul’s enemies and further his criminal aims.
—Keri Blakinger, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
Noun
The only difference is that instead of Cuban casinos, today's criminals use mixing services and cross-chain bridges.
—Boaz Sobrado, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
This legislation is a common-sense solution to protect property owners, hold criminals accountable and restore faith in the rule of law.
—Ryan Nawrocki, Baltimore Sun, 19 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for criminal
Dictionary Entries Near criminal
Cite this Entry
“Criminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criminal. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
criminal
1 of 2 adjective
crim·i·nal
ˈkrim-ən-ᵊl
ˈkrim-nəl
1
: being or guilty of a crime
a criminal act
2
: relating to crime or its punishment
criminal court
criminality
noun
ˌkrim-ə-ˈnal-ət-ē
criminally
adverb
ˈkrim-ən-ᵊl-ē
-nə-lē
criminal
2 of 2 noun
: a person who has committed a crime
Legal Definition
criminal
1 of 2 adjective
crim·i·nal
ˈkri-mə-nəl
1
: relating to, involving, or being a crime
criminal neglect
criminal conduct
2
: relating to crime or its prosecution
brought a criminal action
criminal code
compare civil sense 4, penal
criminal
2 of 2 noun1
: one who has committed a crime
2
: a person who has been convicted of a crime
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