What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
defendant
Example
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges. [defendant: noun]
Example
The defendant's lawyer argued that there was insufficient evidence to convict. [defendant's: possessive adjective]
offender
Example
The offender was sentenced to five years in prison. [offender: noun]
Example
The company fired the employee for being an offender of their code of conduct. [offender: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Offender is more commonly used than defendant in everyday language. Offender is a more general term that can be used outside of legal contexts, while defendant is a legal term that is primarily used in legal settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between defendant and offender?
Defendant is a more formal term that is typically used in legal contexts, while offender is less formal and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
