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View synonyms for

crime

[krahym]

noun

  1. 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: , , ,
  2. criminal activity and those engaged in it.

    to fight crime.

  3. the habitual or frequent commission of crimes.

    a life of crime.

  4. any offense, serious wrongdoing, or sin.

  5. a foolish, senseless, or shameful act.

    It's a crime to let that beautiful garden go to ruin.



crime

/ ɪ /

noun

  1. an act or omission prohibited and punished by law

    1. unlawful acts in general

      a wave of crime

    2. ( as modifier )

      crime wave

  2. an evil act

  3. informalsomething to be regretted

    it is a crime that he died young

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • crimeless adjective
  • crimelessness noun
  • anticrime adjective
  • supercrime 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 ī-, stem of ī “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 ī 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

Examples have not been reviewed.

A police car stood guard outside the Hortman's house, and bright yellow caution tape surrounded the home, now an active crime scene.

From

Eight years ago, Saldana was arrested for a violent crime, but the criminal charges were dropped and he was subsequently deported, Medina said.

From

“Seeking safety is NOT a crime,” one sign read.

From

Surgical skills developed by doctors in war zones are now routinely being used to treat victims of gun and knife crime.

From

Until the 19th Century, protection from crime was largely a privilege enjoyed by the rich.

From

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When To Use

is a crime?

A crime is an act or instance that is considered to be against the morals or laws of society, as in Burglary and grand theft auto are crimes.A person could also be said to have committed a crime against nature or a crime against humanity if they performed especially offensive or taboo acts.A crime can also mean illegal activity in general or a frequent committing of such activity, as in The superhero was dedicated to fighting crime.Crime can also mean a repeated or frequent performing of illegal acts, as in The mobsters lived a life of crime. And crime can be used more generally to refer to any offense or sin, as in The man swore his neighbor would pay for his crime of letting his dogs waltz through his yard. Informally, crime can be used to mean a regrettable thing, as in It is a crime that the musician died so young. The word criminal can be used to mean both a person who commits crime as well as an adjective for things related to crime.Example: Publishing someone’s words as your own is a crime.

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crim. con.Crimea