Talking about Crime: English Vocabulary List

a violent uprising or rebellion against authority, government, or established order

"The insurrection was quickly put down by the army."

"An insurrection is a violent uprising against an established government or authority"

an action that is considered wrong or unacceptable yet not very serious

"Stealing a small item is a misdemeanor"

"Shoplifting a small item from a store is often charged as a misdemeanor rather than a felony because the value of the stolen goods is low."

to make a false copy of something with the intent to deceive

"He counterfeited dollar bills in his basement."

"The criminal was arrested for trying to counterfeit one hundred dollar bills in his basement."

the act of unlawfully influencing or intimidating a witness in a legal case

"Witness tampering is a crime that can lead to more charges."

"Witness tampering is the illegal act of attempting to influence a witness's testimony through intimidation"

a criminal investigation that has remained unsolved for a significant period and lacks recent investigative leads

"The detective reopened an old cold case from twenty years ago."

"The detective reopened the cold case after twenty years when new DNA evidence identified a possible suspect in the unsolved murder."

an individual or group of individuals who take the law into their own hands, acting outside the legal system to enforce their version of justice or address perceived wrongs

"The vigilante took the law into his own hands to fight crime."

"A vigilante is a person who undertakes law enforcement without legal authority"

the criminal act of making a copy of a document, money, etc. to do something illegal

"He committed forgery."

"The bank teller immediately recognized the signature on the check as a clear case of forgery."

proof that indicates a person was somewhere other than the place where a crime took place and therefore could not have committed it

"He had a strong alibi because he was at work all day."

"The suspect claimed a strong alibi because he was at a family dinner with twenty relatives who could confirm he was nowhere near the crime scene."

a serious crime such as arson, murder, rape, etc.

"Murder is a very serious felony with a long prison sentence."

"Armed robbery is considered a felony in most legal systems and can result in a prison sentence of many years for convicted criminals."

a civil wrong causing harm, not a crime

"That was a tort."

"She filed a tort claim against the company after suffering serious injuries at their workplace."

to enter someone's land or building without permission

"Do not trespass on private property."

"The farmer posted signs warning hunters not to trespass on his private property."

the act of stealing funds that are placed in one's trust and belong to one's employer

"The accountant was arrested for embezzlement of company funds."

"Embezzlement is the fraudulent appropriation of property or money by a person entrusted with its custody"

the criminal act of obtaining money, property, or services from someone through coercion, threats, or intimidation

"The gang used extortion to get money from local shops."

"Extortion is the criminal offense of obtaining money or property through coercion"

a minor crime or misdeed, especially of a young person

"Juvenile delinquency is a problem in many big cities today."

"The judge placed the teenager on probation for six months to address his delinquency and prevent him from committing more serious crimes."

the tendency of a person who has been convicted of a criminal offense to reoffend, leading to their re-arrest, reconviction, or return to criminal behavior

"The prison program aimed to reduce recidivism among released inmates."

"Recidivism is the tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend and return to prison after release"

a violent and criminal gang or an individual who engages in brutal and aggressive behavior

"The thug stole an old woman's purse."

"The neighborhood was terrorized by a group of violent thugs who robbed people on the street and broke into houses at night."

a member of a criminal organization, often involved in organized crime such as racketeering, extortion, and other illicit activities

"The mobster was arrested for running an illegal gambling ring."

"A mobster is a member of an organized crime syndicate or mafia"

the environment or territory associated with criminal gangs, particularly those engaged in organized crime, violence, and illicit activities

"The shooting was part of a gangland feud over drug territory."

"The detective spent years investigating gangland activities across several major cities in the country."

‌to cooperate secretly or illegally for deceiving other people

"The executives colluded to fix prices."

"The two companies secretly colluded to fix prices and eliminate all competition in the market."

to steal small quantities or insignificant items

"She pilfered small items from her workplace."

"The dishonest employee managed to pilfer small amounts of cash from the register over several months."

to take something for one's own use, especially illegally or without the owner's permission

"He will appropriate money."

"The corrupt official was accused of attempting to appropriate public funds for his personal gain."

to deceive someone in order to deprive them of something, such as money, property, or information

"The scammer conned elderly people out of money."

"The fraudster managed to con several elderly people out of their life savings."

to lie in a court of law after officially swearing to tell the truth

"Do not perjure yourself in court."

"The witness chose to perjure herself rather than testify against her own brother in court."

to sell or distribute illicit products, such as drugs, alcohol, or counterfeit goods

"They bootleg movies and sell them cheaply."

"The man was caught trying to bootleg copies of popular movies and sell them online."

to use deceit in order to deprive someone of their money or other possessions

"He swindled investors out of millions."

"The fake investment advisor managed to swindle millions of dollars from trusting retired teachers."

to take valuables by force

"The army despoiled the conquered city."

"The invading army proceeded to despoil the village and steal everything of value."

to commit a harmful, illegal, or immoral act, such as a crime or an offense

"Who perpetrated this terrible crime?"

"The police are still investigating who could have perpetrated such a terrible and violent crime."

to forcefully take control of a vehicle, like an airplane, often to take hostages or change its course

"Terrorists hijacked the passenger plane."

"The terrorists planned to hijack a passenger plane and demand the release of their leader."

to forcibly steal a vehicle from its driver, often involving threats or violence

"Thieves carjacked him at gunpoint."

"Two masked men attempted to carjack the woman at gunpoint in the parking lot."

to provide evidence or information that suggests a person's involvement in a crime or wrongdoing

"The evidence incriminated the suspect."

"The suspect refused to answer any questions that might incriminate him in the robbery case."