Crime Terminology

adjective causing anxiety or unease; upsetting

• The disturbing images from the crime scene were difficult for the investigators to process.
• I find it really disturbing when people chew with their mouths open.
• That horror movie was so disturbing, I couldn't sleep for days.
• The disturbing news cast a dark shadow over the community.

noun an adventurous or daring act or undertaking

adjective escapade does not have an applicable adjective

• The group embarked on a thrilling escapade through the mountains.
• Our escapade to the beach turned out to be a lot of fun.
• That escapade last night was wild!
• Her decision to quit her job and travel the world was seen as an escapade by her friends.

noun a person who is blamed or punished for the faults or wrongdoings of others, especially as a cover-up for their own actions

• The fall guy in this situation was clearly set up to take the blame.
• He always ends up being the fall guy whenever something goes wrong.
• Don't worry, we'll make sure you're not the fall guy in this mess.
• He felt like the fall guy in their group, always being blamed for things he didn't do.

noun unfair or dishonest behavior, especially in a game or sport

• The authorities are investigating the possibility of foul play in the suspicious death.
• I have a feeling there was some foul play involved in that game.
• I smell foul play in the air, something doesn't seem right.
• The politician's sudden change of heart raised suspicions of foul play among the public.

noun a member of a gang of criminals

adjective relating to or characteristic of a gangster

• The gangster was arrested for multiple counts of racketeering.
• That gangster is always causing trouble in the neighborhood.
• The gangster was flexing his new ride down the block.
• She's a gangster when it comes to negotiating business deals.

noun a means of escape or evasion

verb to escape or leave quickly

adverb quickly or hastily

• The suspect managed to get away before the police arrived.
• Let's skip class and get away for the weekend.
• I need to get away from my annoying roommate for a while.
• Reading a good book is a great way to get away from the stresses of everyday life.

noun a weapon consisting of a metal tube, with mechanical attachments, from which projectiles are shot by the force of an explosive

verb to shoot and kill someone with a gun

adverb in a manner involving the use of a gun to shoot and kill someone

preposition down - in a lower or less erect position

• The police officer had to gun down the armed criminal to protect the public.
• I heard that the security guard had to gun down a thief at the mall last night.
• The gang members decided to gun down their rival in a drive-by shooting.
• The negative comments online seemed to gun down her self-esteem.

noun a young male companion of a homosexual man, especially one who is kept for the purpose of sexual activity

• The detective suspected the young gunsel of being involved in the robbery.
• I heard that new guy is a real gunsel when it comes to handling a gun.
• Watch out for that gunsel, he's trouble.
• In the world of politics, he was seen as a gunsel, always doing the dirty work for others.

noun a robbery or theft carried out with the use of force or threat of force

• The bank was closed due to a holdup earlier today.
• There was a holdup at the grocery store, so I had to wait in line for a long time.
• I can't believe there was a holdup at the gas station last night!
• The project was delayed because of a holdup in funding.

noun the crime of unlawfully killing another person

• The suspect was charged with homicide after the victim's body was found.
• The police think it was a homicide, but they're still investigating.
• I heard there was a homicide down the street last night.
• The downfall of the company was like a slow homicide of its reputation.

verb past tense of 'hood', to cover or provide with a hood

adjective having a hood or covering

• The suspect was wearing a hooded jacket at the time of the crime.
• I saw a hooded figure lurking in the shadows.
• That guy with the hooded sweatshirt looks suspicious.
• Her words had a hooded meaning, hinting at something deeper.

verb to take someone away illegally by force, typically to obtain a ransom

• The police were able to rescue the victim who had been kidnapped for ransom.
• I heard a rumor that someone tried to kidnap the neighbor's dog last night.
• If you don't pay up, I'll have to kidnap your favorite stuffed animal!
• The new marketing campaign aims to kidnap the attention of young consumers.

noun a person or thing that kills, especially a murderer

adjective causing or capable of causing death

• The forensic team is still investigating the identity of the serial killer.
• Did you hear about that killer on the loose in the neighborhood?
• That movie was killer, I couldn't stop laughing!
• His killer instinct on the basketball court is unmatched.

noun a liquid or pill containing a drug that causes a person to become unconscious or extremely drowsy, often used for nefarious purposes

• The suspect was found to have used knockout drops to incapacitate his victims.
• I heard that someone slipped knockout drops into the punch at the party last night.
• Be careful at that club, there are rumors that people are putting knockout drops in drinks.
• Her beauty was like knockout drops, leaving everyone in awe.

noun goods, money, or other valuables obtained illegally or by questionable means

verb to steal goods, money, or other valuables

• The thieves were caught red-handed with stolen loot from the bank.
• Let's split the loot evenly between us.
• We scored some sweet loot from that heist.
• She looted my heart with her charming smile.

noun a person who steals goods during a war or riot

• The looter was apprehended by the police and taken into custody.
• The looter got caught red-handed stealing from the store.
• The looter was busted for swiping stuff from the mall.
• The looter of happiness always finds themselves empty in the end.

noun the act of stealing goods during a war or riot

• The authorities are investigating reports of looting in the aftermath of the natural disaster.
• Did you hear about the looting that happened downtown last night?
• Some people were caught looting the store during the chaos.
• He was accused of looting the company's funds for his own personal gain.

noun the act of attacking someone in a public place and robbing them

verb to attack someone in a public place and rob them

• The police are investigating a recent mugging that took place downtown.
• I heard there was a mugging in the park last night.
• Did you see that mugging on the news? It was crazy!
• The intense competition felt like a mugging in the business world.

noun a person who is fleeing or evading something, typically the law

preposition used to indicate movement or action in relation to a particular location or situation

• The fugitive was caught after months spent on the run.
• He's been on the run since he skipped bail.
• The thieves are on the run from the cops.
• She felt like she was always on the run, never able to relax.

noun the action of moving stealthily or with predatory intent

verb to move around stealthily or with predatory intent

• The lioness went on a nightly prowl to hunt for food.
• The cat likes to prowl around the neighborhood at night.
• The thief was caught on a prowl in the city.
• His mind was on a prowl for new ideas and inspiration.

noun an indulgence or outburst of extravagant behavior

• The suspect went on a shopping spree at the luxury department store.
• She went on a shopping spree and bought a bunch of new clothes.
• After getting paid, he went on a shopping spree and splurged on sneakers.
• The company went on a hiring spree to expand their workforce.

noun a person who is used by others for their own purposes, especially someone who is considered to be foolish or gullible

• The company hired a stooge to act as a scapegoat for their unethical practices.
• Don't be a stooge and fall for their tricks.
• That guy is such a stooge, always doing whatever the boss tells him.
• The puppet was controlled by the stooge behind the scenes.

noun the act of taking something that does not belong to you

• The police are investigating the theft of valuable artwork from the museum.
• Did you hear about the theft at the jewelry store last night?
• I can't believe he got away with that theft!
• His constant lying is a theft of trust in our relationship.

noun The act of stealing; theft

• The act of thievery is considered a serious crime in many countries.
• I heard there was some thievery happening in the neighborhood last night.
• Watch out for that guy, he's known for his thievery tricks.
• His thievery of ideas from other artists is evident in his work.

noun a violent person, especially a criminal

adjective relating to or characteristic of a thug

• The police arrested the suspected thug for armed robbery.
• I heard that thug got into a fight at the bar last night.
• That thug is always causing trouble in the neighborhood.
• His aggressive behavior at work earned him the reputation of being a corporate thug.

noun a vulnerable or weak part of something

• The documentary explored the underbelly of the city's criminal underworld.
• We stumbled upon the underbelly of the internet while browsing late at night.
• I heard some shady stuff goes down in the underbelly of that neighborhood.
• The underbelly of society is often overlooked by those in positions of privilege.

noun a world beneath the surface of the earth, especially the abode of the dead in Greek and Roman mythology

• The police have been investigating the criminal activities in the underworld for months.
• I heard there's some shady stuff going on in the underworld.
• The underworld is a dangerous place, best to stay away from it.
• She felt like she was descending into the underworld as she delved deeper into the dark secrets of the organization.

noun a person who has been harmed, injured, or killed as a result of a crime, accident, or other event

• The victim of the crime was able to identify the suspect in a police lineup.
• The victim of the scam lost all her savings to the con artist.
• The victim got totally played by that smooth-talking hustler.
• She felt like a victim of circumstance, unable to control the events unfolding around her.

noun a sharp or heavy blow with a hand, weapon, or other object

verb to strike or hit forcefully

adjective none

adverb none

pronoun none

preposition none

conjunction none

interjection none

article none

• The suspect was arrested for assault with a whack to the head.
• I can't believe he whacked me with a water balloon!
• She whacked him upside the head for making a rude comment.
• The unexpected news really whacked her emotions.

noun the act of deliberately destroying or damaging public or private property

verb not applicable

adjective not applicable

adverb not applicable

pronoun not applicable

preposition not applicable

conjunction not applicable

interjection not applicable

article not applicable

• The act of vandalization is a serious offense and can result in legal consequences.
• Someone was caught vandalizing the school property last night.
• I can't believe they're vandalizing the park again, it's so disrespectful.
• The artist saw the graffiti as a form of creative vandalization of public space.

adjective describing something as having the qualities or characteristics of a murder or related to murder

• The detective described the crime scene as highly murdery.
• That abandoned house gives off a really murdery vibe.
• I heard that guy has some murdery tendencies, so watch out.
• The tension in the room was so thick, it felt almost murdery.

noun a person who has been kidnapped

• The police were able to rescue the kidnappee unharmed.
• I can't believe they found the kidnappee safe and sound!
• The kidnappee managed to escape from the criminals.
• The company was like a kidnappee, held hostage by the demands of its investors.