Meaning & use
felony
A serious crime, typically one punishable by a lengthy prison sentence or death, as opposed to a lesser offense.
See it in a sentence
The prosecutor charged him with felony assault after the fight left the victim hospitalized.
Stealing a car is usually classified as a felony rather than a misdemeanor.
A note on using this word
In U.S. law, felonies are distinguished from misdemeanors by the severity of the punishment, though the exact threshold varies by state.
Words with a similar meaning
serious crime
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
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