felony

noun

Definition of felonynext
as in crime
law a serious criminal act (such as murder or rape) The crime is considered a felony under state law. He was convicted of committing a felony.

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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 felony Parker’s attorney made a motion for dismissal of a separate count of aiding and abetting first-degree murder while committing a felony, which the judge granted Thursday. — Tyler Quattrin, Twin Cities, 6 July 2026 Devontae Harris, 28, pleaded guilty in April to intimidation, a Level 5 felony. — Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026 That incident, which Johnson County court documents say occurred on May 13, resulted in great bodily harm or disfigurement of another person, and a level-five felony charge. — Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026 Authorities have arrested more than a half dozen people related in relation to Reflecting Pool damage, including former Olympian David Hearn, who was indicted last week on a felony of property destruction. — Steve Peoples, Fortune, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for felony
Recent Examples of Synonyms for felony
  1. crime
  2. trespass
  3. misdemeanor
  4. violation
Noun
  • He was convicted of that crime and given 96 months of probation, according to the press release.
    — Mary Ella Hastings July 3, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 July 2026
  • In a press release, Bonta reiterated his commitment to combating hate in California, and said the data obtained are accessible and critical to stopping such crimes in the state.
    — Jazmin Alvarado, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
Definition of crime
Noun
  • Police arrested the pair on charges of burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, criminal trespass, criminal tampering, possession of burglar's tools, disorderly conduct and other offenses.
    — Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
  • Both face multiple charges -- including burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, criminal trespass, violation of a local law, criminal tampering, disorderly conduct and possession of burglar's tools -- according to police.
    — Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 1 July 2026
Definition of trespass
Noun
  • Court records from Davidson County, Tennessee, showed an improper vehicle lighting and speeding charge, both misdemeanors, for Johnson in 2023.
    — Lucas Finton, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • He was put on probation after pleading guilty to misdemeanor battery, but is allowed to travel outside Indiana.
    — Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 5 July 2026
Definition of misdemeanor
Noun
  • Lawyers in the gas station lawsuit assert that technology is enabling antitrust violations.
    — Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • Beijing has and been accused of serious human violations, including large-scale arbitrary detention of Uyghur and other Muslim minorities, in Xinjiang.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
Definition of violation

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felons
felony
felt
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Cite this Entry

“Felony.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/felony. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on felony

Nglish: Translation of felony for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about felony

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