as in offender
a person who is being sued or accused of a crime in a court of law
The jury believed that the defendant was guilty.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of defendant
The judge said defendants in other cases have fled the country before.
—
Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 23 May 2025
The Court should take the defendant at his word and detain him in the interest of public safety.
—Mike Levine, ABC News, 23 May 2025
The two defendants acquitted on charges of complicity were ordered to pay 5,000 euros ($5,682) damages to the civil parties in the trial which include Kardashian and the concierge of the rental apartment building.
—Mekishana Pierre Published, EW.com, 23 May 2025
On Friday, a court in the French capital acquitted two of the 10 defendants.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for defendant
Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 23 May 2025
The Court should take the defendant at his word and detain him in the interest of public safety.
—Mike Levine, ABC News, 23 May 2025
The two defendants acquitted on charges of complicity were ordered to pay 5,000 euros ($5,682) damages to the civil parties in the trial which include Kardashian and the concierge of the rental apartment building.
—Mekishana Pierre Published, EW.com, 23 May 2025
On Friday, a court in the French capital acquitted two of the 10 defendants.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for defendant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defendant
Noun
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Or even those Californians, such as many in San Francisco and Los Angeles, who are just fed up with the perception that California is soft on criminals.—
Anita Chabria,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2025
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To boost deportations, immigration officials have detained workers at their homes and jobs — a method that, in the past, had been reserved for only the most violent criminals.—
Ana Ley,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Noun
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The robbery suspect left in a Ford Escape prior to deputies arriving, according to the sheriff’s office.—
Daniella Segura,
Sacbee.com,
28 May 2025
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The suspect then got up and fired his gun three times, hitting the SUV’s windshield, according to police.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
28 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defendant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defendant. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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