View synonyms for crime

crime

[ krahym ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

an action or an instance of negligence that is deemed injurious to the public welfare or morals or to the interests of the state and that is legally prohibited.
Synonyms: felony, tort, misdemeanor, wrong
criminal activity and those engaged in it:
to fight crime.
the habitual or frequent commission of crimes:
a life of crime.
any offense, serious wrongdoing, or sin.
a foolish, senseless, or shameful act:
It's a crime to let that beautiful garden go to ruin.

crime

/ kraɪm /

noun

an act or omission prohibited and punished by law
1. unlawful acts in general
  a wave of crime
2. ( as modifier )
  crime wave
an evil act
informal.
something to be regretted
it is a crime that he died young

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Other Words From

crimeless adjective
crimeless·ness noun
anti·crime adjective
super·crime noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of crime¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English, from Anglo-French, Old French, from Latin crīmin-, stem of crīmen “accusation, blame, charge,” akin to cernere “to decide, distinguish, separate,” literally, “to sift” ( discern ( def ) )

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Word History and Origins

Origin of crime¹

C14: from Old French, from Latin crīmen verdict, accusation, crime

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Synonym Study

Crime, offense, sin agree in meaning a breaking of law. Crime usually means any serious violation of human laws: the crime of treason or robbery. Offense is used of an infraction of either human or divine law, and does not necessarily mean a serious one: an offense leading to a jail sentence; an offense against morals. Sin means a breaking of moral or divine law: the sins of greed and lust.

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Example Sentences

Did he denounce the involvement of organized crime in the abduction and disappearance of 43 students in the nearby city of Iguala?

From The Daily Beast

But they say its effect on the regular daily operation of organized crime has been negligible.

From The Daily Beast

The anti-crime cops began searching the likely path of flight.

From The Daily Beast

Which is impossible unless people talk publicly rather than letting each crime be its own isolated incident.

From The Daily Beast

Denied parole nine straight times, he insists he is innocent of the crime for which he was convicted.

From The Daily Beast

He was thrashed at school before the Jews and the hubshi, for the heinous crime of bringing home false reports of progress.

From Project Gutenberg

At that moment the crime and inefficacy of bloodshed, in avenging injuries like his, or any injuries, struck upon his soul.

From Project Gutenberg

He knew that the whole fabric of crime was due to the human reading of His "revelation" to man.

From Project Gutenberg

Humanity must bench with justice; or punishment itself becomes crime, and degenerates into revenge.

From Project Gutenberg

It is therefore true that the field of crime is not fixed, is in truth always changing.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

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crim. con.Crimea

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