criminal

comparative more criminal · superlative most criminal

1. Against the law; forbidden by law.

   Foppish and fantastic ornaments are only indications of vice, not criminal in themselves.

   1711 March 29 (Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison; Richard Steele et al.], “SUNDAY, March 19, 1710–1711”, in The Spectator, number 16; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, […], volume I, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton & Company, 1853, →OCLC

   Synonyms: crimeful, delictuous, illegal, illicit, crimeful, illegal, illegitimate, illicit

2. Guilty of breaking the law.

   The neglect of any of the relative duties renders us criminal in the sight of God.

   a. 1729, John Rogers, The Difficulties of Obtaining Salvation

   Synonyms: at fault, culpable, at fault, blameworthy, censurable, culpable, guilty, nocent

3. Of or relating to crime or penal law.

   His long criminal record suggests that he is a dangerous man.

   1 more example

   The officers and servants of the crown, violating the personal liberty, or other right of the subject […] in some cases, were liable to criminal process.

   1827, Henry Hallam, The Constitutional History of England from the Accession of Henry VII. to the Death of George II. […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: John Murray, […], →OCLC

4. figurativelyAbhorrent or very undesirable.

   Printing such asinine opinions is criminal!

   1 more example

   [...] I think it represents exceptional value for money and I think it would be criminal not to go ahead and build it."

   2020 May 6, Graeme Pickering, “Borders Railway: time for the next step”, in Rail, page 54

   Synonyms: detestable, repugnant

plural criminals

1. A person who is guilty of a crime, notably breaking the law.

   1 more example

   ‘[…] There's every Staffordshire crime-piece ever made in this cabinet, and that's unique. The Van Hoyer Museum in New York hasn't that very rare second version of Maria Marten's Red Barn over there, nor the little Frederick George Manning—he was the criminal Dickens saw hanged on the roof of the gaol in Horsemonger Lane, by the way—’

   1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 3, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC

   Synonyms: lawbreaker, offender, perpetrator, hoodlum, justice-impacted individual, crook, committer, culprit