defendant

noun

Definition of defendantnext
as in offender
a person who is being sued or accused of a crime in a court of law The jury believed that the defendant was guilty.

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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 defendant The company that provided the software, Kalibrate, is named as a defendant. — Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 His girlfriend, Syanna Ruiz, held their child in court, demanding the defendants remain behind bars. — Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 2 July 2026 In court documents, O’Hara alleged the defendants violated his First and Fourth Amendment rights, accusing them of unlawfully restricting free speech and initiating an unlawful seizure while using excessive force. — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026 Other defendants sentenced Wednesday included Rebecca Morgan, Joy Gibson, Nathan Baumann, John Thomas, Lynette Sharp and Seth Sikes, with sentences ranging from 22 months to 15 years. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for defendant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defendant
  1. offender
  2. criminal
  3. suspect
  4. perpetrator
Noun
  • Independence Day celebrations come in the most challenging threat environment since 9/11, with the ongoing terror threat, a rise in political violence and continuing fears about lone-wolf offenders, according to Raia.
    — Luke Barr, ABC News, 3 July 2026
  • There were also concerns listed in the analysis that the registry, which dates back to 1947, could include LGBTQ+ offenders from decades ago who were convicted of offenses that are no longer crimes.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of offender
Noun
  • Data that appears to be compliance information to a regulator can appear to be a target list to a criminal.
    — Susie Violet Ward, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • The Colorado attorney general oversees more than 700 attorneys and staff and manages legal manners spanning consumer protection, civil rights, criminal, water, constitutional and environmental law.
    — Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Definition of criminal
Noun
  • The suspect, 30‑year‑old Trevion Mark of Fort Worth, was arrested nearby without incident and charged with reckless endangerment and evading arrest in a motor vehicle, according to DPS.
    — Doug Myers, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • The suspect’s vehicle entered a closed roadway on Interstate 20 at the 420 exit near Aledo and struck an 18-wheeler, the release states.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026
Definition of suspect
Noun
  • The sophistication of the bomb used indicates that more than one perpetrator was involved, prosecutors said, adding that two men were arrested in Monaco before being released due to lack of evidence.
    — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 3 July 2026
  • In April, Florida’s attorney general opened a criminal investigation into the alleged perpetrator’s interactions with ChatGPT before the 2025 mass shooting at Florida State University.
    — Ryan McBain, STAT, 2 July 2026
Definition of perpetrator

Browse Nearby Words

defendable
defendant
defendants
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Defendant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defendant. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on defendant

Nglish: Translation of defendant for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about defendant

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