criminal

Connected with crime or the laws and punishments dealing with it.

• He has a criminal record.
• The police began a criminal investigation.
• She faces criminal charges for stealing public money.

Common phrases: criminal law, criminal record, criminal investigation

So bad or wrong that it deserves strong criticism.

• Throwing away this food is criminal.
• The building’s condition shows criminal neglect.
• Spending that much on decorations seems positively criminal.

Similar words: outrageous, shameful, appalling

Common phrases: criminal waste, criminal neglect, positively criminal

A person who has broken the law by doing something that is a crime.

• The police caught the criminal.
• Several criminals escaped from prison last night.
• Was he treated like a criminal?

Similar words: lawbreaker, offender

Common phrases: dangerous criminal, convicted criminal, catch a criminal, violent criminal