misdemeanant
Definition
Noun: - A person who commits a minor wrongdoing or a small crime: A "misdemeanant" is an individual who has been found guilty of a misdemeanor, which is a less serious offense compared to a felony. This term is used in legal contexts to refer to someone who has violated the law in a minor way.
Usage Examples
- (The person who committed a minor crime was given a light punishment.)
- (A person guilty of a small offense might be treated leniently.)
Advanced Usage
"To be labeled a misdemeanant": to be officially classified as someone who has committed a minor crime.
- After his arrest for petty theft, he was labeled a misdemeanant. (He was officially recognized as a minor offender.)
"Habitual misdemeanant": a person who repeatedly commits minor offenses.
- The habitual misdemeanant was required to attend rehabilitation programs. (Someone who frequently breaks the law in small ways.)
Variants and Related Words
Misdemeanor (noun): a minor crime or offense, as opposed to a felony.
- The charge of vandalism was reduced to a misdemeanor. (The crime was considered less serious.)
Misdemean (verb, rare): to behave badly or improperly.
- The student was warned not to misdemean in class. (To act in a disorderly way.)
Synonyms
- Offender: a person who commits an illegal act.
- Lawbreaker: someone who violates the law.
- Delinquent: a person, especially a young one, who commits minor crimes.
Related Idioms
"A slap on the wrist": a very mild punishment for a wrongdoing.
- The misdemeanant received only a slap on the wrist — a small fine. (The minor criminal got a light penalty.)
"Petty crime": a minor, less serious illegal act.
- Shoplifting is considered a petty crime, and the shoplifter is treated as a misdemeanant. (A small theft makes someone a minor offender.)