Criminal Terminology

noun a person who intentionally sets fire to property

• The arsonist was apprehended by the police and will face charges for setting fire to the building.
• Did you hear about the arsonist who got caught red-handed by the authorities?
• That arsonist is a real firebug, always causing trouble.
• The gossip spread like wildfire, fueled by the arsonist's malicious lies.

noun a person who attacks someone physically or verbally

• The assailant was apprehended by the police shortly after the incident.
• The guy who attacked me was caught by the cops.
• The assailant got busted by the cops.
• Fear can be an assailant that attacks your mind and emotions.

noun a character in a story or movie who is portrayed as the antagonist

• The police were able to apprehend the bad guy after a lengthy investigation.
• I heard that the bad guy got away with stealing from the store last night.
• That dude is such a bad guy, always causing trouble.
• In the movie, the protagonist must confront the inner bad guy to overcome his personal demons.

noun a person who behaves in a morally wrong or evil way

• It is unethical to label someone as a bad person without considering the full context of their actions.
• I don't want to hang out with him anymore, he's just a bad person.
• She's a total jerk, a real bad person.
• His heart was as black as coal, truly a bad person.

noun a person who engages in illegal or criminal activities, especially robbery or burglary

• The bandit was apprehended by the authorities and taken into custody.
• We heard that there's a bandit roaming around the neighborhood, so be careful.
• That bandit is always causing trouble in this town.
• His reputation as a bandit in the world of finance has earned him both admirers and detractors.

verb to successfully accomplish or achieve something

• The team was able to bring off a successful merger with the company.
• I can't believe we actually brought off that prank on our friend!
• We totally brought off that heist without getting caught.
• Despite the challenges, she managed to bring off her ambitious plan.

verb to deceive or trick through dishonesty or manipulation

• The con artist tried to cozen the elderly woman out of her life savings.
• I can't believe he tried to cozen us into buying that junk car.
• Don't trust him, he's always trying to cozen people for his own gain.
• The politician's promises were nothing but a clever attempt to cozen the voters.

adjective morally corrupt or wicked

• The depraved criminal was sentenced to life in prison for his heinous crimes.
• I can't believe how depraved that movie was, it was so disturbing.
• That guy is seriously depraved, he needs help.
• The depraved state of the environment was a stark reminder of the impact of human activity.

noun a musical instrument of the violin family, similar to the violin but larger and with a deeper sound

verb to touch or fidget with something in a restless or nervous way

• The musician skillfully played the fiddle during the classical concert.
• I love watching my grandpa fiddle around with his old fiddle in the evenings.
• Stop trying to fiddle with the settings on my phone, you'll mess it up!
• The CEO was accused of trying to fiddle with the company's financial records.

verb to steal (something, especially something of small value); pilfer

• The suspect was caught attempting to filch money from the cash register.
• I saw him trying to filch some snacks from the vending machine.
• She's always trying to filch my makeup without asking.
• The politician was known to filch ideas from his opponents during debates.

noun a person who informs on another person or group, especially to the authorities

verb to inform on someone, especially to the authorities

• The informant decided to fink on the criminal activity to the authorities.
• Don't be a fink and tell on your friends for skipping class.
• I can't believe you finked on me like that!
• The dark clouds were like a fink, threatening to ruin the picnic.

noun a person who produces fraudulent copies or imitations; a counterfeiter

• The forger was arrested for producing counterfeit documents.
• The forger got busted for making fake IDs.
• The forger was caught red-handed forging signatures.
• His ability to imitate famous paintings earned him the reputation of a master forger.

noun a person who is fleeing from prosecution, intolerable circumstances, etc.; a runaway

adjective fleeing, transient, elusive

• The police are in pursuit of the fugitive who escaped from prison.
• Did you hear about the fugitive on the run from the cops?
• That fugitive dude is always one step ahead of the law.
• His thoughts were like a fugitive, constantly fleeing from his grasp.

noun a vacation or trip taken to escape from everyday life or routine

adjective relating to or suitable for a getaway

• The couple planned a romantic getaway to a secluded beach resort.
• Let's go on a quick getaway to the mountains this weekend.
• We need to have a girls' getaway to Vegas soon!
• Reading a good book is my perfect getaway from reality.

noun a person who is assigned to carry out unpleasant or controversial tasks, often in a ruthless or aggressive manner

• The hatchet man was brought in to make tough decisions and implement necessary changes within the company.
• I heard the hatchet man is coming in to lay off a bunch of employees.
• Watch out for the hatchet man, he's known for cutting jobs without warning.
• In politics, the hatchet man is often used to refer to someone who carries out the dirty work or attacks on behalf of a higher authority.

noun a loyal and trusted follower or subordinate, especially one who is involved in criminal activities

• The henchman carried out the orders given to him by the crime boss.
• The henchman did all the dirty work for the boss.
• The henchman was the boss's right-hand man.
• In the corporate world, the henchman is often the one who takes the fall for the higher-ups.

noun a place used as a hideaway or refuge, typically for someone trying to escape from danger or trouble

• The criminal gang was found hiding in their secret hideout in the mountains.
• Let's meet at our secret hideout behind the old warehouse.
• The kids built a cool hideout in the woods where they hang out after school.
• In times of trouble, his mind becomes a hideout where he seeks solace and peace.

noun the state of being well known for some bad quality or deed

adjective deserving or causing public disgrace or shame

• The criminal's actions brought him infamy in the eyes of the public.
• His infamy spread quickly throughout the small town.
• That guy's infamy is off the charts!
• The artist's controversial piece achieved a level of infamy that propelled her to fame.

noun a person who tells or plays jokes; a jest or prankster

• The joker in the deck of cards is often used as a wild card.
• He's always the joker of the group, making everyone laugh.
• That guy is a real joker, always cracking jokes.
• Life can sometimes feel like a game of cards with the joker constantly changing the rules.

noun a person of low social status or moral character

• The judge referred to the criminal as a lowlife during the sentencing hearing.
• I can't believe that lowlife stole my wallet!
• That lowlife is always causing trouble around here.
• She felt like a lowlife after betraying her best friend.

noun a member of the Mafia or a similar criminal organization, typically a man who is ruthless and willing to use violence to achieve his goals

• The Mafioso was known for his organized crime operations in the city.
• I heard that Joey is hanging out with some Mafioso guys now.
• Watch out for that Mafioso, he's trouble.
• She's like a Mafioso when it comes to protecting her family.

noun a person who commits a crime or some other wrongdoer

• The malefactor was apprehended by the authorities and brought to justice.
• The malefactor got caught red-handed and is now facing the consequences.
• That malefactor is a real piece of work, always causing trouble.
• The malefactor of greed lurks within us all, waiting to tempt us into wrongdoing.

noun a person who plans and directs a complex and intricate scheme or project

verb to plan and direct a complex and intricate scheme or project

• The mastermind behind the elaborate heist was finally apprehended by the authorities.
• I heard that John was the mastermind behind the surprise party for Sarah.
• The crew knew that Joey was the mastermind when it came to pulling off the perfect prank.
• She was the mastermind of the operation, carefully orchestrating each step to achieve success.

adjective wicked, evil, or criminal in nature; synonymous with nefarious

• The company was involved in a nefarious scheme to evade taxes.
• I heard that guy is up to some nefarious activities behind our backs.
• That dude is always pulling off some shady and nefarious stuff.
• The nefarious clouds of corruption loomed over the political landscape.

adjective well-known or famous for something negative or undesirable

• The notorious criminal was finally apprehended by the police.
• That guy is just notorious for always being late.
• She's the most notorious gossip in town.
• The company's CEO has become notorious for his ruthless business tactics.

verb to commit or carry out (a harmful, illegal, or immoral action)

• The suspect was caught red-handed trying to perpetrate a robbery.
• I can't believe he tried to perpetrate such a dumb crime.
• Those guys are always looking for ways to perpetrate scams.
• His words seemed to perpetrate a sense of unease among the group.

noun a person or animal that moves stealthily or sneaks around, especially in order to commit a crime

• The security guard spotted a prowler lurking around the building.
• I heard there's a prowler in the neighborhood, so lock your doors tonight.
• Watch out for that shady dude, he's a known prowler in this area.
• The rumors about her being a prowler in the dating scene were greatly exaggerated.

noun A person or group that is considered a threat or danger to society or a particular community.

• The criminal was considered a public enemy by the authorities.
• That guy is like a public enemy around here, always causing trouble.
• Watch out for that dude, he's a real public enemy.
• In the world of fashion, wearing fur can be seen as a public enemy act.

noun a person who leads others, especially in unlawful activities or in a group that causes trouble

• The ringleader of the criminal organization was finally apprehended by the authorities.
• Everyone knew that Jake was the ringleader of the group planning the surprise party.
• The ringleader of the gang was known on the streets as 'Big Boss'.
• She was the ringleader of the office gossip, always starting and spreading rumors.

noun a violent or brutal person, especially one involved in crime

• The authorities were able to apprehend the ruffian who had been causing trouble in the neighborhood.
• I heard that ruffian got into a fight at the bar last night.
• That ruffian is always causing trouble wherever he goes.
• The storm was like a ruffian, tearing through the town with no regard for anything in its path.

noun a slang term for a low-quality, impure form of heroin

• The scientist studied the effects of scag on the human brain.
• I heard that guy got caught with some scag at the party last night.
• Stay away from that scag, it's bad news.
• The corruption in the government is like a scag poisoning our society.

noun a person or group considered to be despicable or morally repugnant

• The criminal was described as the scum of the earth by the judge during sentencing.
• I can't believe that guy stole from a charity - he's the scum of the earth!
• That bully is the scum of the earth, always picking on others.
• In the world of fashion, some designers consider fast fashion retailers to be the scum of the earth.

noun the action of taking something without permission

verb to take something without permission

• The thief was caught attempting to steal jewelry from the store.
• I can't believe she tried to steal my phone when I wasn't looking!
• He's always trying to steal my thunder by copying everything I do.
• Her beauty seemed to steal the spotlight at the party.

noun A person who steals, especially secretly or without open force; a robber or a burglar.

• The thief was caught red-handed stealing from the jewelry store.
• I heard that the thief got busted trying to steal a car last night.
• That thief is always up to no good, trying to swipe stuff from people's houses.
• Jealousy is a thief of joy, so it's important to focus on gratitude instead.

verb to steal (something) by committing theft

• The police are investigating a group of thieves who have been targeting high-end jewelry stores.
• I heard that someone tried to thieve a car from the parking lot last night.
• Watch out for that guy, he's known to thieve from unsuspecting tourists.
• Gossip can thieve away someone's reputation faster than anything else.

noun A person hired to commit a murder or other violent crime, especially by shooting a gun

• The investigators were able to identify the trigger man responsible for the shooting.
• They found out who the trigger man was in the shooting.
• The cops caught the trigger man red-handed.
• He was seen as the trigger man behind the controversial decision.

noun a South African slang term for a dishonest or untrustworthy person

• The police were able to apprehend the skelm who had been evading capture for months.
• I heard that guy is a real skelm, always up to no good.
• Don't trust that skelm, he's known for being sneaky and deceitful.
• In the world of politics, there are often skelms who manipulate situations for their own benefit.

noun a slang term used to describe a foolish or incompetent person

• The ornithologist identified the bird as a mook species.
• I heard that guy is a total mook when it comes to fixing cars.
• Don't be such a mook, just admit you were wrong.
• His stubbornness is like a mook standing in the way of progress.

noun a person who collects or distributes illicitly gained money, especially for a criminal organization

• The bagman was arrested for his involvement in the money laundering scheme.
• Hey, have you seen the bagman around lately?
• The bagman always knows how to make a quick buck.
• In the world of politics, the bagman plays a crucial role in securing funds for campaigns.

noun a person who deceives others, especially in order to trick them out of their money; a swindler or con artist

• The police were able to apprehend the flimflam artist responsible for the elaborate Ponzi scheme.
• I can't believe I fell for the tricks of that flimflam artist trying to sell me a fake Rolex.
• That flimflam artist tried to pull a fast one on me with his bogus investment scheme.
• His smooth-talking ways made him a real flimflam artist in the world of politics.

noun A hired assassin, especially in Latin America

• The authorities apprehended a suspected sicario in connection to the recent drug cartel violence.
• I heard that the sicario was caught by the cops last night.
• That sicario is one dangerous dude, man.
• The ruthless businessman was like a sicario, eliminating his competition without hesitation.