1
as in criminal
a person who commits moral wrongs
she regards anyone who would cause the breakup of a family as a malefactor of the worst sort
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in offender
a person who has committed a crime
the victim was able to give a clear description of the malefactor to the police
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of malefactor
If not properly secured, OTA updates may be intercepted and altered by malefactors, risking the reliability of the entire system.
—
Klaudia Zaika, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
In her introductory speech, Amanpour foreshadows what’s to come, warning that malefactors with enticing narratives can only manipulate us because of our eagerness to believe them.
—Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2024
In 2011, ahead of his reelection campaign, Barack Obama traveled to Osawatomie, Kan., to attack the malefactors of great wealth.
—Matthew Continetti, National Review, 19 Oct. 2024
Maybe the origin of Downey's Doom won't involve torture or an evil malefactor specifically out to ruin his life.
—Christian Holub, EW.com, 16 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for malefactor
Klaudia Zaika, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
In her introductory speech, Amanpour foreshadows what’s to come, warning that malefactors with enticing narratives can only manipulate us because of our eagerness to believe them.
—Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2024
In 2011, ahead of his reelection campaign, Barack Obama traveled to Osawatomie, Kan., to attack the malefactors of great wealth.
—Matthew Continetti, National Review, 19 Oct. 2024
Maybe the origin of Downey's Doom won't involve torture or an evil malefactor specifically out to ruin his life.
—Christian Holub, EW.com, 16 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for malefactor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malefactor
Noun
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This exemption obligates the IRS to assist law enforcement in the pursuit of criminals and will be used against any migrant who has overstayed for more than 90 days as part of the carveout.—
Benjamin Siegel,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2025
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Learning of such proactivity reminds me of how cutting-edge cybersecurity firms now use AI to go on the offensive against criminals.—
Michael Ashley,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Harmonies abound as Elliott and Aaliyah take turns bemoaning the wrongdoer, culminating in a double-time shakedown from Da Brat. 52.—
Steven J. Horowitz,
Vulture,
11 Apr. 2025
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Ancient petroglyphs carved into volcanic rock outside Bishop in the eastern Sierra were recently damaged by vandals, and federal authorities want to bring the wrongdoers to justice.—
Nathan Solis,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Even when a big threat does arrive on the scene, the heroes aren't there right away, so plenty of innocent people get hurt before a villain gets brought to justice.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
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Whereas Serena could easily have emerged as a one-note villain, from the beginning of her tenure on the series, Strahovski has imbued Serena with a soulfulness that often puts the audience uncomfortably on her side, despite her reprehensible actions.—
Scarlett Harris,
IndieWire,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Everyone’s a sinner — Elijah Gemstone and his descendants more than most.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
10 Mar. 2025
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Goggins is simply incredible, fully committed to Baby Billy’s comic lunacy yet never losing sight of his recovering sinner’s withered heart.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
9 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Malefactor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malefactor. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
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