offender

[ uh-fen-der ]

noun

1. someone who has violated a criminal, religious, or moral law:

   The program aids individuals already in the criminal justice system and is geared toward nonviolent offenders.

2. a person or thing that irritates, annoys, or angers:

   Some of us tried to take matters into our own hands by confronting the noise pollution offenders, but they were entirely unwilling to quiet down.

3. something that is disagreeable:

   If you’re curious about the odor, I’m afraid you’ll find that the offender is a catbox that has not been emptied recently.

Other Words From

• non·of·fend·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of offender¹

offend ( def ) + -er ¹( def )

Example Sentences

Thomas Waring, then 20, was in the dock alongside gunman Connor Chapman and was convicted of assisting an offender and possession of a firearm in July 2023.

From BBC

In limited cases, pardons can restore gun rights to those convicted of crimes that did not involve a dangerous weapon or relieve a sex offender from being required to register.

From Los Angeles Times

Youth offender rates have risen since Covid.

From BBC

An offender profile drawn up by a psychiatrist suggested the likely suspect would be someone who could drive, probably aged 17 to early 20s, and perhaps someone Lindsay would be attracted to.

From BBC

According to the league’s collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Players Assn., a first-time offender of the personal message rule can be fined $11,255.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• convict
• criminal
• culprit
• delinquent
• felon
• lawbreaker
• suspect