CRIME Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

crime

noun

ˈkrīm

Definition of crime

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

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

as in violation

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 The rewards are intended to encourage people with information about the crimes to come forward. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026 Publicly reported crime — in a place where residents have far bigger budgets than any law enforcement agency in the country — is reported to be nonexistent. — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026 When they were first charged with the crimes, Marques Smith was 20-years-old and Marquan Smith was 18-years-old. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026 Public executions by stoning, burning or hanging were originally meant to show a wide audience the consequences of breaking the law for crimes ranging from adultery to robbery to murder. — Dr. Michael Good, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for crime

Recent Examples of Synonyms for crime

Noun

Election experts have said many instances of noncitizens registering to vote are a result of administrative error or confusion on the part of the immigrant — not intentional criminality.

— Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
Investigators, however, believe there was no criminality and that the cause was an electrical fire in one of the fifth-floor apartments.

— Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of criminality

Noun

She is obsessed with her closet, the organization of which puts even Kim to shame.

— Jonathan Van Meter, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
In a May 2023 Instagram post, Allen apologized to Gale for having an affair and acknowledged that his choices brought shame and humiliation to his family.

— Ashley Hume , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of shame

Noun

The pity of the judge who imprisoned them here was cold comfort for a group of people who had little reason to trust any legal authority.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
Still, the track eventually collides into a seasick wall of distortion that recalls lovesliescrushing’s weightless takes on shoegaze as Pitchkites sings of unmet expectations and self pity.

— Colin Joyce, Pitchfork, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of pity

Noun

Formerly, Christians were taught that greed--that is, the immoderate pursuit and love of money--was a sin.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
Per the official logline, in the final season, as the survivors race to bury their sins before rescue arrives and an old flame roars back into town with plans of her own.

— Denise Petski, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of sin

Noun

The police arrested Valentin Alberto Rodriguez, 38, on suspicion of driving under the influence, causing injury or death, felony hit-and-run, gross vehicular manslaughter and other crimes.

— James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
The 22 others were facing a combination of felony charges including lying on their naturalization application during interviews or on voter registration forms.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of felony

Browse Nearby Words

cries up

crime

crimes

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Crime.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crime. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of crime

noun

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Synonyms of crime

noun

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