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 Tracy Neal is an award-winning reporter who covers criminal justice (courts and crime) for the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. —Tracy Neal, Arkansas Online, 30 May 2025 Since the teen didn't have a criminal record, the state Department of Juvenile Services characterized the offenses as lower-level crimes and allowed him to be released, Hamill said. —Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2025 Carl quickly becomes fixated, determined to solve a seemingly unsolvable crime. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 May 2025 That’s because the police depend on the participation of all citizens to prevent crime and solve criminal investigations. —W. Carsten Andresen, The Conversation, 29 May 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
  • The movie exploited the loosening codes of the time, to make for a more frank depiction of urban criminality.
    — Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 31 May 2025
  • In the defense’s opener, Geragos said the money was offered to shield bad publicity, not evidence of criminality.
    — Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 12 May 2025
Definition of criminality
Noun
  • That means having the courage to say what needs to be said—without blame, without shame and always with the intention to help.
    — Jaide Massin, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
  • But when the nights are long and your world has shattered, just having something to talk to without shame or fear, can be the difference between falling apart and holding on.
    — Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
Definition of shame
Noun
  • Read the full Cancer Daily Horoscope Leo (July 23 - August 22) Throwing a pity party?
    — USA TODAY, USA Today, 1 May 2025
  • Sometimes even the family refuses to take pity, as new Nashville Harbor artist Greylan James discovered.
    — Tom Roland, Billboard, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of pity
Noun
  • Those participating in races can receive up to a $250 fine and/or up to 30 days in jail on the first violation, up to a $500 fine and/or up to 60 days in jail for the second violation, and up to a $1,000 fine and/or and up to six months in jail for a third.
    — Alecia Taylor, Kansas City Star, 7 June 2025
  • Most violations were corrected during the inspection.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 6 June 2025
Definition of violation
Noun
  • And the sin that Crespo supposedly committed to warrant banishment?
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2025
  • For his part, Misch has not come close to showing remorse nor confessing his sins.
    — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 14 May 2025
Definition of sin
Noun
  • More than four years after his arrest on a felony perjury charge, the trial of former Broward Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie could finally take place next week.
    — Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 5 June 2025
  • She was additionally fined $40,000 and ordered to pay the $120,000 judgment, as well as give a DNA sample relating to her felony charge.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 5 June 2025
Definition of felony

Browse Nearby Words

cries up
crime
crimes
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Cite this Entry

“Crime.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crime. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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