misdemeanor

American  

[mis-di-mee-ner] / ˌmɪs dɪˈmi nər /

especially British, misdemeanour

noun

• misdemeanors
  plural

1. Law. a criminal offense defined as less serious than a felony.

2. an instance of misbehavior; misdeed.

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misdemeanor Cultural  

1. A minor crime, punishable by a fine or a light jail term. Common misdemeanors, such as traffic violations, are usually dealt with informally, without a trial. (Compare felony.)

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• misdemeanors
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of misdemeanor

First recorded in 1480–90; mis- ¹ + demeanor

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Explanation

A misdemeanor is a minor offense, rather than a serious crime. A minor infraction like keeping a library book for years or stealing a pack of bubblegum would be considered a misdemeanor. A crime like murder is serious, a felony that can land the person who commits it in jail for a long time. A misdemeanor, on the other hand, is a far less serious offense. Commit a misdemeanor such as petty theft, and you might not get more than a slap on the wrist.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

misdemeanor misdemeanors

Prosecutors said they do not typically issue news releases regarding misdemeanor hit-and-run cases involving only property damage, but that the release was being issued due to public interest around the case.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 4, 2026

Wednesday's filing in Utah's Third Judicial District Court charges KalshiEX LLC with a pattern of unlawful activity, along with 12 counts of online gambling promotion, and one misdemeanor count of gambling promotion.

From Barron's ● Oct. 29, 2026

A 31-year-old Honduran man landed on authorities’ radar after he disrupted immigration officers during a February protest in Camarillo, Calif., a misdemeanor citation to which he pleaded guilty.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026

Roy would use the city attorney’s role as the prosecutor of most misdemeanor crimes to funnel nonviolent offenders into diversion programs, such as mental health treatment or vocational training.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

And so, Gordon, the intern, settled on negligent homicide, the toughest misdemeanor penalty, arguing that the two charges for reckless behavior are not “harsh enough to do justice to the outcome of the accident.”

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel

The eight men charged with misdemeanors have hearings scheduled for Oct.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026

But, after criticism from Mayor Karen Bass and others, the district attorney downgraded the counts to misdemeanors with a diversion agreement that will probably allow Flores to avoid any time behind bars.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2026

Nathan Hochman announced he would reduce 16 felony eavesdropping counts against Officer Daniel Flores to misdemeanors, and that the case would likely resolve in court through a diversion agreement.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026

In addition to Hearn, the government charged three other people—Cameron Thiers, Sophie Dennison-Gibby and Justin Carreno—with misdemeanors for allegedly damaging the reflecting pool.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026

They are generally charged with misdemeanors and typically receive sentences involving fines, license suspension, and community service.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

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Related Words

• offense
• transgression
• violation

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