crime
- Noun:
- An act that violates a law and is punishable by the state: A crime is an action or omission that constitutes an offense against a public law and is prosecuted by the state. This is the primary legal definition.
- A serious wrongdoing, especially of moral character: More broadly, "crime" can refer to any act perceived as profoundly immoral, sinful, or evil, even if it is not illegal.
- Noun:
- The police are investigating the crime. (The police are investigating the illegal act.)
- He was convicted of the crime of theft. (He was found legally guilty of the act of theft.)
- It's a crime to waste so much food when others are starving. (This expresses that the action is a profound moral wrong.)
"Crime against humanity": An act that is part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population, such as murder, enslavement, or torture.
- The tribunal prosecuted leaders for crimes against humanity.
"Crime of passion": A crime, especially murder, committed in a moment of intense emotional disturbance, such as sudden rage or jealousy.
- The defense argued it was a crime of passion, not premeditated murder.
"Crime scene": The location where an offense was committed and evidence may be gathered.
- The area was cordoned off as a crime scene.
Criminal (adj): Relating to or involving crime.
- He faces criminal charges.
Criminal (n): A person who has committed a crime.
- The criminal was sentenced to ten years in prison.
Criminality (n): The state of being criminal; criminal behavior.
- The study focused on the roots of criminality.
- Offense: A breach of a law or rule.
- Felony (specifically a serious crime): A serious crime typically punishable by imprisonment for more than one year.
- Misdemeanor (specifically a minor crime): A minor wrongdoing punishable by a fine or short jail term.
- Wrongdoing: Behavior that is illegal or immoral.
Partners in crime: A humorous or informal term for close friends who do things together, often mischievous things.
- My sister and I were partners in crime when we were kids.
Crime doesn't pay: A proverb meaning that criminal activity ultimately is not profitable or worthwhile.
- He learned the hard way that crime doesn't pay.
To have a crime on one's conscience: To feel guilty for having committed a crime.
- He left the country, but he still had the crime on his conscience.
- an evil act not necessarily punishable by law
- crimes of the heart
- (criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
- a long record of crimes