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 With no evidence of a crime or foul play, authorities could not move against Zelich, and the case stalled. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026 The best crime thrillers consider the way violence, an endemic feature of human societies, can spiral out of hand. — David Faris, TheWeek, 16 Oct. 2026 Supporters of Question 8 say marijuana contributes to car crashes, crime and lost productivity. — Neal Riley, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 Two men were arrested and indicted in connection with the alleged crime, according to prosecutors. — Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 16 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

The French gêne par procuration delegates discomfort, while the German Fremdschämen means foreign shame.

— Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
While the imposing box set itself is a portable 12-pound film school and an instant status symbol on your shelf, there’s no shame in clicking over for a preview.

— Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of shame

Noun

And unlike state authorities who can be sued for civil rights violations in state courts, federal law enforcement authorities are generally shielded from such lawsuits based on legal precedents.

— Philip Wang, Time, 19 Oct. 2026
Chicago should provide workable loading zones, preserve first-offense warnings, and publicly report whether violations and crashes actually decline.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of violation

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

Catholic teaching still calls suicide a grave sin, but recognizes mental illness can diminish responsibility; advocates want mental health ministries in parishes worldwide.

— Luis Andres Henao, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
If the sin of Mars’ album was being too predictable, Styles’ bold and unexpected Kiss All the Time.

— Alan Light, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of sin

Noun

In 2020, the DOJ brought similar charges against another 19 individuals, none of which resulted in felony convictions or jail sentences, according to a Sacramento Bee analysis of the court cases.

— Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026
In January 2025, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch changed the department pursuit policy, barring cops from chasing after vehicles fleeing car stops unless a felony crime or a violent misdemeanor was committed.

— John Annese, New York Daily News, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of felony

Noun

Martin Zummach, an attorney who represents the officer who fired the shot that killed Kohen, says the attorney general's findings cleared his client of criminal wrongdoing.

— SOPHIE BATES, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
Xuan and Zhang, who have pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing through their attorneys, were ordered held in lieu of $20 million bail.

— James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of wrongdoing

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cries up

crime

crimes

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Style

“Crime.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crime. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of crime

noun

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Synonyms of crime

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