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
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
Helen Regan, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
As an appellate court judge, Miller reviews appeals filed by criminal defense attorneys.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2025
Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
The two men, already known for burglaries, appear to be experienced criminals in their thirties, from the Seine-Saint-Denis department and may have been acting on orders, Le Parisien reported.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminal
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show current usage.
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Adjective
Federal investigation reveals wide criminal net Browse the website of Chen’s Prince Group, and the company’s public image is one of charitable endeavors, business accolades and awards for corporate social responsibility initiatives, large donations to anti-Covid efforts, and education programs.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
As an appellate court judge, Miller reviews appeals filed by criminal defense attorneys.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2025
Noun
The outlet reported that two men were arrested on Saturday evening and are thought to have been part of a group of four criminals.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
The two men, already known for burglaries, appear to be experienced criminals in their thirties, from the Seine-Saint-Denis department and may have been acting on orders, Le Parisien reported.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminal
Cite this Entry
“Criminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criminal. Accessed 29 Oct. 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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