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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 malefactor
Electronic medical records were once touted as secure, but whole hospital systems have been taken down and held for ransom by malefactors.
—
Cory Franklin,
Twin Cities,
23 Nov. 2025
The Sea of Excrement, with its bobbing malefactors, is especially memorable.
—
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
On social media, Tan was pugilistic to the point of belligerence, casting his political enemies as corrupt malefactors responsible for the despoliation of his beloved city.
—
Literary Hub,
15 Oct. 2025
Many kinds of spyware programs aim to capture your credit cards or other kinds of personal data that malefactors can monetize.
—
Neil J. Rubenking,
PC Magazine,
21 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for malefactor
Cory Franklin,
Twin Cities,
23 Nov. 2025
The Sea of Excrement, with its bobbing malefactors, is especially memorable.
—
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
On social media, Tan was pugilistic to the point of belligerence, casting his political enemies as corrupt malefactors responsible for the despoliation of his beloved city.
—
Literary Hub,
15 Oct. 2025
Many kinds of spyware programs aim to capture your credit cards or other kinds of personal data that malefactors can monetize.
—
Neil J. Rubenking,
PC Magazine,
21 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for malefactor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malefactor
Noun
-
Data that appears to be compliance information to a regulator can appear to be a target list to a criminal.
-
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.
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.
-
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.
Noun
-
New York’s Bivens Act remedies this by extending the protections of Section 1983 to all individual government wrongdoers — including federal ones.
-
The overpowering moral authority of wronged women, #MeToo’s skeptics alleged, would allow cynical wrongdoers to weaponize claims of victimhood for their own gain.
Noun
-
That relationship was based on sinners confessing their sins to this vicar.
-
More joy in Heaven over one sinner who repents than ninety-nine righteous people who’ve got nothing to repent.
Noun
-
Together, the band brings to life a mythic world of ancient heroes and villains, attracting an excited audience of headbangers and fantasy fanatics, many of whom show up in costume.
-
The performance earned her the award for best villain at the 2003 MTV Movie Awards.
Cite this Entry
“Malefactor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malefactor. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
