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Synonyms for

Defendants

Noun / dɪˈfendʌnts / Another word for defendants — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

Defendants are people or organizations accused of a crime in a court of law.

Synonyms & similar words

defendant suspect plaintiff accused suspects culprits offenders perpetrators criminals lawbreakers wrongdoers respondents appellants litigants petitioners defenders contestants challengers opponents rivals adversaries competitors

Synonyms by register

Formal

accused respondents suspects

Informal

the accused the guy on trial the one being sued

Literary

culprits offenders

Antonyms

plaintiffs claimants prosecutors accusers litigants

Common collocations

  • named defendants
  • arrested defendants
  • civil defendants
  • criminal defendants
  • defendants' rights
  • defendants' counsel
  • defendants' case

Word family

noun defendant
verb defend
adjective defensible
adverb defensibly

Usage note

The term 'defendant' refers to the party against whom a lawsuit or charge is brought. It is primarily used in legal contexts.

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Example sentences

  1. The defendants appeared in court with their lawyers.
  2. The judge will hear the arguments from both sides before making a decision on the defendants' case.
  3. The defendants were found guilty and sentenced to prison.
  4. The defendants denied the charges against them and requested a trial.
  5. The defendants' lawyer presented evidence to prove their innocence.

Quotes

  • The state calls its own violence law, but that of the individual crime.
  • The law is not made for the protection of the guilty.
  • The law is the last result of human wisdom acting upon human experience for the benefit of the public.

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