What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
felonious
Example
The suspect was charged with felonious assault. [felonious: adjective]
Example
He was found guilty of committing a felonious crime. [felonious: adjective]
criminal
Example
The criminal was sentenced to ten years in prison. [criminal: noun]
Example
It is criminal to steal from others. [criminal: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Criminal is more commonly used than felonious in everyday language. Criminal is a versatile word that can be used to describe a wide range of illegal activities, while felonious is more specific and limited to describing serious crimes.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between felonious and criminal?
Felonious is more formal and legalistic than criminal. It is typically used in legal contexts and is less common in everyday language.
