What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
malefactor
Example
The police arrested the malefactor for stealing from the store. [malefactor: noun]
Example
He was accused of being a malefactor and causing damage to the property. [malefactor: adjective]
criminal
Example
The criminal was sentenced to ten years in prison for robbery. [criminal: noun]
Example
She was charged with criminal activity for hacking into the company's database. [criminal: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Criminal is more commonly used than malefactor in everyday language. Criminal is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while malefactor is less common and more formal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between malefactor and criminal?
Malefactor is typically associated with a more formal tone, while criminal can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
