Crime Vocabulary

adjective Describes something that is not allowed or prohibited by the law

preposition Shows the relationship between 'against' and 'the law', indicating that something is contrary to or in violation of the law

• It is against the law to drive under the influence of alcohol.
• You know it's against the law to park here, right?
• Selling alcohol to minors is totally against the law.
• Breaking someone's trust is like going against the law of friendship.

verb past tense and past participle of aggravate

adjective causing annoyance or anger; made more severe or intense

• The defendant was charged with aggravated assault.
• She was really aggravated by his constant interruptions.
• I was so aggravated when my phone died right before my presentation.
• The simmering tension between the two countries was aggravated by the recent border dispute.

noun a person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action or state of being

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

article a word that is used to indicate whether a noun is specific or unspecific

• It is important to remember that it is never acceptable to break the law.
• Dude, you can't just break the law like that!
• Don't be stupid and try to break the law, man.
• Sometimes it feels like the only way to get ahead is to break the law.

noun a person or animal that is physically strong and aggressive, often involved in fighting or violence

• The bruiser was known for his aggressive playing style on the football field.
• Watch out for that bruiser, he's a tough guy to beat in a fight.
• I heard that new guy is a real bruiser, so be careful around him.
• Her words were like a bruiser, leaving a lasting impact on everyone in the room.

verb To kill someone, usually in a deliberate or premeditated manner.

• The suspect was charged with conspiracy to bump off a rival gang member.
• I heard they're planning to bump off the competition in the upcoming deal.
• They hired a hitman to bump off their enemy.
• The company decided to bump off the underperforming product from their lineup.

noun A den is a place where people engage in activities that are considered immoral or illegal.

preposition The preposition 'of' shows the relationship between 'den' and 'iniquity'.

• The police raided the den of iniquity and arrested several suspects.
• I heard that place is a total den of iniquity, we should stay away from it.
• That club is a real den of iniquity, you never know what kind of trouble you'll find there.
• The abandoned house had become a den of iniquity, filled with all sorts of illicit activities.

noun a person, especially a police officer, whose occupation is to investigate and solve crimes

• The detective was able to solve the complex case with his keen investigative skills.
• The detective figured out who the culprit was in no time.
• The detective is a real sleuth when it comes to solving mysteries.
• She approached the problem like a detective, carefully examining every clue.

adjective excessive in price or amount; exorbitant

• The price of the new luxury car was extortionate compared to similar models on the market.
• I can't believe how extortionate the prices are at that fancy restaurant.
• The cost of those sneakers is totally extortionate, I could never afford them.
• His demands for a raise were so extortionate, it felt like he was holding my paycheck hostage.

noun a weapon consisting of a metal tube from which a projectile is fired

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• The police officer drew his gun in order to apprehend the suspect.
• I heard that John keeps a gun in his house for protection.
• Don't worry, I'll bring my piece, just in case things get sketchy.
• Her words were like a loaded gun, ready to cause damage if not carefully aimed.

noun A fight or battle between armed individuals or groups using guns

• The police were involved in a gunfight with the armed robbers.
• There was a crazy gunfight downtown last night.
• Things got real heated and there was a gunfight going on.
• Their argument turned into a verbal gunfight with harsh words being exchanged.

noun a robbery or theft, typically involving a large amount of money or valuable items

verb to commit a robbery or theft

• The police are investigating a sophisticated heist at the museum.
• Did you hear about the heist at the jewelry store last night?
• The crew pulled off a major heist at the casino.
• His plan was a heist of her heart, stealing it away without her even realizing.

verb to delay or impede progress

adjective delayed or postponed

adverb in a delayed or postponed manner

• The construction of the new bridge was held up due to unforeseen weather conditions.
• I was held up in traffic on my way to the meeting.
• I got held up at the store because I couldn't find my wallet.
• Her progress in the project was held up by constant interruptions.

noun A person hired to kill someone, especially for money

• The hit man was hired to carry out the assassination.
• The hit man is gonna take care of the target for us.
• The hit man is gonna whack the guy for us.
• In the business world, a successful negotiator is like a hit man closing deals.

noun the act or process of investigating

• The police launched an investigation into the robbery.
• They're investigating who stole the cookies from the kitchen.
• The detectives are on the case, trying to crack the investigation.
• She delved deep into her own thoughts, conducting an investigation of her own mind.

noun the act of causing death, especially intentionally

adjective causing or intended to cause death

• The act of killing another human being is considered a serious crime.
• I heard the news about the killing in the neighborhood last night.
• The gang was involved in a lot of shady killings around town.
• His constant criticism is like a slow killing of my self-esteem.

noun a physical act of causing something to fall or be pushed over

verb to cause something to fall or be pushed over by striking it

• The strong wind was powerful enough to knock over the trees in the forest.
• I accidentally knocked over my drink while reaching for the remote.
• I can't believe you knocked over that convenience store last night!
• The sudden news of his resignation seemed to knock over all our plans for the future.

adjective causing shock or disgust; sensational or melodramatic

• The newspaper published a lurid account of the crime scene.
• I couldn't believe the lurid details in that gossip magazine.
• The movie was so lurid, it was like a trainwreck - you couldn't look away.
• His lurid imagination painted a vivid picture of what could happen if they didn't act quickly.

noun the unlawful premeditated killing of one human being by another

verb to kill (someone) unlawfully and with premeditation

• The suspect has been charged with first-degree murder.
• I heard there was a murder at the park last night.
• Did you see that show last night? It was murder!
• His betrayal was like a murder of trust in our relationship.

verb The word 'murdered' is a past tense verb that describes the action of unlawfully killing another person with intent.

• The detective investigated the case of the murdered woman.
• They say that poor guy was murdered last night.
• I heard that dude got straight up murdered.
• Her hopes and dreams were murdered by the harsh reality of life.

noun a slang term for a police officer or law enforcement official

• The police were able to nab the suspect before he could flee the scene.
• I managed to nab the last cookie before my brother ate them all.
• I'm going to try and nab those concert tickets before they sell out.
• She was able to nab the top position in the company through hard work and dedication.

verb to search thoroughly or vigorously through (a place or receptacle), typically causing damage or disorder

• The burglars ransack the house looking for valuable items.
• I heard that someone tried to ransack the store last night.
• The thieves ransacked the place, taking everything they could find.
• The tornado seemed to ransack the town, leaving destruction in its wake.

noun a person who commits robbery or a robbery incident

verb to take something unlawfully or by force

• The masked thief attempted to rob the bank last night.
• I heard someone tried to rob the convenience store down the street.
• Did you hear about that guy trying to rob the liquor store? What a dumb move.
• His harsh words seemed to rob her of her confidence.

noun a person who steals from others, especially by force or threat of violence

• The police are on the lookout for the notorious bank robber who has been targeting multiple branches in the city.
• Did you hear about the robber who tried to steal from the convenience store down the street?
• That robber is always up to no good, I swear.
• The fear of failure can be like a robber stealing your confidence and motivation.

noun a pointed or tapered piece of wood or other material that is driven or forced into something

• The store clerk was a victim of a stickup last night.
• Did you hear about the stickup at the convenience store?
• That stickup was wild, I can't believe they got away with it.
• The unexpected bill was like a financial stickup for my budget.

noun the quality or state of being unlawful; illegality

• The court ruled on the unlawfulness of the defendant's actions.
• They got in trouble for the unlawfulness of their behavior.
• They were busted for the unlawfulness of their scheme.
• The unlawfulness of their relationship was like a dark cloud hanging over them.

noun a prolonged bitter quarrel with or campaign against someone

• The two families had been locked in a vendetta for generations.
• He's been holding a vendetta against his former boss ever since he got fired.
• She's got a vendetta against anyone who crosses her.
• Her vendetta against injustice fueled her passion for activism.

verb To steal or take something without permission or by force.

• The thief attempted to walk off with the valuable painting from the museum.
• I saw someone trying to walk off with your bag when you weren't looking.
• She thought she could just walk off with my phone, but I caught her red-handed.
• You can't just walk off with all the credit for this project when we all worked on it together.

verb to strike forcefully

adjective to be exhausted or tired

adverb in a forceful or violent manner

• The suspect was whacked with a heavy object, causing severe injuries.
• I can't believe he just whacked the hornet's nest without thinking!
• She whacked that exam out of the park!
• The sudden change in weather really whacked my mood.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence

article a word that is used to specify a noun as definite or indefinite

• The investigative journalist uncovered the dark underbelly of corruption within the political system.
• I never realized the dark underbelly of the fashion industry until I started working in it.
• You don't want to know about the dark underbelly of that company's business practices.
• Exploring the abandoned building revealed the dark underbelly of its history.

noun a weapon incorporating a metal tube from which bullets, shells, or other missiles are propelled by explosive force, typically making a characteristic loud, sharp noise

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• The police confiscated several illegal guns during the raid.
• I heard that John owns a few guns for hunting.
• Some people think carrying guns is cool, but it's really not.
• Her words were like guns, piercing through his heart with every sentence.

verb to take someone away illegally by force or deception

• The police were able to abduct the suspect without any harm.
• I heard that they tried to abduct the cat from the neighbor's yard.
• I can't believe they were planning to abduct him for ransom!
• The dark clouds seemed to abduct the sunlight, casting a gloomy shadow over the town.

verb A verb is a word that expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being. In this case, 'abducts' is a verb that means to take someone away illegally by force or deception.

• The criminal abducts his victims to demand ransom.
• Did you hear about the guy who abducts people in the neighborhood?
• That creepy dude totally abducts girls at the club.
• The captivating novel abducts the reader into a world of fantasy.