Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Involving or constituting a serious crime: Describes actions, conduct, or intent that are of a criminal nature, typically relating to grave offenses.
   • Wicked; evil: In a broader, sometimes archaic sense, describes something profoundly immoral or malevolent.

Usage

The adjective felonious is primarily used in formal or legal contexts to characterize acts or intentions as criminal. It often modifies nouns like act, conduct, assault, or intent.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The prosecutor argued that the defendant's actions were felonious and warranted the highest penalty.
  • He was charged with felonious assault for attacking the officer.
  • The court examined whether there was felonious intent behind the seemingly accidental fire.

Advanced Usage

• "felonious homicide": A legal term for criminal killing, such as murder or manslaughter, as opposed to excusable or justifiable homicide.
  • The charge was reduced from felonious homicide to manslaughter.

Variants and Related Words

• Felon (n): A person who has committed a felony (a serious crime).
  • Convicted felons often lose certain civil rights.
• Feloniously (adv): In a criminal manner.
  • He acted feloniously when he broke into the vault.
• Felony (n): A serious crime, typically one punishable by imprisonment for more than one year or by death.
  • Armed robbery is considered a felony.

Synonyms

• Criminal: Pertaining to or involving crime.
• Illegal: Contrary to or forbidden by law.
• Unlawful: Not conforming to, permitted by, or recognized by law or rules.
• Nefarious: (Typically of an action or activity) wicked or criminal.
• Iniquitous: Grossly unfair and morally wrong.

Antonyms

• Lawful: Conforming to, permitted by, or recognized by law or rules.
• Legal: Relating to, permitted by, or based on law.
• Innocent: Not guilty of a crime or offense.

Adjective

1. involving or being or having the nature of a crime
   • a criminal offense
   • criminal abuse
   • felonious intent