Synonyms for Criminal
Definition of criminal
- adjective
- bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure; "a criminal waste of talent"; "a deplorable act of violence"; "adultery is as reprehensible for a husband as for a wife"
- guilty of crime or serious offense; "criminal in the sight of God and man"
- involving or being or having the nature of a crime; "a criminal offense"; "criminal abuse"; "felonious intent"
11 synonyms found
Writing tips for "criminal"
Choosing the right synonym depends on context, tone, and audience. Words like condemnable, crook, deplorable can replace "criminal" depending on the shade of meaning you need. In poetry and songwriting, swapping synonyms lets you match a rhyme scheme or meter without changing your meaning. In prose, varying your word choice avoids repetition and keeps readers engaged.
With 11 alternatives available, "criminal" gives you flexibility across registers — from formal to casual, from literary to conversational. Try pairing these synonyms with our rhyme finder to discover words that both mean and sound like what you need.
"Criminal" in song lyrics
See how criminal is used in real songs:
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"Afflict like a convict, I ain't no criminal"
3rd Bass — Steppin' to the A.M. -
"Stereotype the rhymer as a criminal"
3rd Bass — Derelicts of Dialect -
"Proceed with caution when approachin a criminal"
415 f/ Brotha Broski, Icee B — Ruthless is Reality