crime

noun

ˈkrīm How to pronounce crime (audio)
Definition of crimenext
1
as in criminality
activities that are in violation of the laws of the state a promise by the president to step up the war against crime

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in shame
a regrettable or blameworthy act it's a crime to waste food, so give the rest of the pizza to me

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in offence
a breaking of a moral or legal code anyone who commits a crime should expect to be punished for it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun crime contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of crime are offense, scandal, sin, and vice. While all these words mean "a transgression of law," crime implies a serious offense punishable by the law of the state.

the crime of murder

When would offense be a good substitute for crime?

The words offense and crime are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, offense applies to the infraction of any law, rule, or code.

at that school no offense went unpunished

When can scandal be used instead of crime?

The meanings of scandal and crime largely overlap; however, scandal applies to an offense that outrages the public conscience.

a career ruined by a sex scandal

When is sin a more appropriate choice than crime?

The synonyms sin and crime are sometimes interchangeable, but sin implies an offense against moral or religious law.

the sin of blasphemy

When could vice be used to replace crime?

In some situations, the words vice and crime are roughly equivalent. However, vice applies to a habit or practice that degrades or corrupts.

regarded gambling as a vice

Example Sentences

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 crime In France, trials for crimes punishable by up to fifteen to twenty years in prison are judged by a jury of professional magistrates. —Katie Ebner-Landy, The New Yorker, 22 Feb. 2025 Prior to joining Fox News, Alexandra covered breaking news, crime, religion, and the military in the southeast. —Alexandra Koch, Fox News, 22 Feb. 2025 Waller was convicted of 46 counts of rape and other crimes. —Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 22 Feb. 2025 By contrast, in fiscal year 2024, 51 percent of the people ICE arrested had been convicted of a crime, and an additional 21 percent had criminal charges pending against them. —Nathaniel Rakich, ABC News, 11 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for crime
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crime
  1. criminality
  2. shame
  3. pity
  4. violation
  5. sin
  6. felony
Noun
  • In turn, episodes of fraud and misconduct in small local governments don’t always surface publicly unless criminal charges are filed – and problems short of criminality may be kept quiet.
    — Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025
  • The department has since played the role of overseer in the investigation, and reserves the right to take over again in the event of potential criminality.
    — Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Jan. 2025
Definition of criminality
Noun
  • No shame in losing Breanna Stewart was one of the players who advocated for the inclusion of the single-elimination tournament in Unrivaled’s schedule.
    — Ben Pickman, The Athletic, 14 Feb. 2025
  • There’s no shame in losing to the Mavericks, but losing to these Mavericks is brutal.
    — Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025
Definition of shame
Noun
  • Hannah reached for the bottle of Dom and filled her glass to the brim with a put-upon sigh, pity swimming in her hazel eyes.
    — Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 12 Feb. 2025
  • What a pity that Ola gets a real job and is forced to quit the play.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
Definition of pity
Noun
  • Since this was a probation violation, Einstein was sent back to jail.
    — Keith Sharon, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025
  • The consequences for violations are not clearly spelled out, but the ban is broader and took effect sooner than the deadline under the California Phone-Free Schools Act.
    — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2025
Definition of violation
Noun
  • The cityscape is comparable to Las Vegas, without the sin of course.
    — Joe Yogerst, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025
  • In Terror at the Gates, Lilith Leviathan, on the run from her powerful family, arrives in Ninevah, a district of Eden that’s known for its taste for sin.
    — Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 19 Feb. 2025
Definition of sin
Noun
  • He was let go after his lengthy criminal record came to light, which included a felony charge for possession of a firearm.
    — Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025
  • What does a felony conviction symbolize these days?
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2025
Definition of felony

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Cite this Entry

“Crime.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crime. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.

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