Vocabulary List: Crimes

Overview

• Grade Level: University/Undergrad
• Topic: Crimes
• Number of Words: 50

Vocabulary Words

1. Homicide

   • Definition: The deliberate and unlawful killing of one person by another.
   • Example: The detective was called to investigate the recent homicide in the city.
   • Pronunciation: HOM-i-side

2. Burglary

   • Definition: Entering a building unlawfully with the intent to commit a crime, typically theft.
   • Example: The value of the stolen goods made the burglary a serious offense.
   • Pronunciation: BUR-gluh-ree

3. Robbery

   • Definition: The crime of taking or attempting to take something of value from another by force or threat of force.
   • Example: He was charged with robbery after he threatened the cashier with a weapon.
   • Pronunciation: ROB-uh-ree

4. Fraud

   • Definition: Wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain.
   • Example: The company was sued for fraud after misleading investors about their profits.
   • Pronunciation: FRAWD

5. Assault

   • Definition: An intentional act that causes another person to fear imminent bodily harm.
   • Example: The victim reported the assault to the police immediately after the incident.
   • Pronunciation: uh-SAULT

6. Vandalism

   • Definition: Deliberate destruction of or damage to public or private property.
   • Example: The local school was a victim of vandalism over the weekend, with graffiti covering the walls.
   • Pronunciation: VAN-duh-liz-uhm

7. Embezzlement

   • Definition: The act of wrongfully taking or misappropriating funds placed in one's trust or belonging to one's employer.
   • Example: She was convicted of embezzlement after stealing thousands from the company accounts.
   • Pronunciation: im-BEZ-uhl-muhnt

8. Theft

   • Definition: The action of stealing; the unlawful taking of someone else's property.
   • Example: Police stated that theft has increased in the downtown area.
   • Pronunciation: thɛft

9. Kidnapping

   • Definition: The unlawful taking and carrying away of a person by force or fraud.
   • Example: The authorities launched a manhunt after the report of the kidnapping of the child.
   • Pronunciation: KID-nap-ing

10. Terrorism

    • Definition: The unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in pursuit of political aims.
    • Example: The country implemented stricter security measures to combat terrorism.
    • Pronunciation: TER-uh-riz-uhm

11. Misdemeanor

    • Definition: A minor wrongdoing or crime, typically punishable by a fine or less than a year in jail.
    • Example: He received a misdemeanor for trespassing on private property.
    • Pronunciation: mis-di-MEE-nər

12. Felony

    • Definition: A serious crime, typically one involving violence, punishable by imprisonment for more than one year or by death.
    • Example: The suspect was charged with felony murder after the robbery turned deadly.
    • Pronunciation: FEL-uh-nee

13. Perjury

    • Definition: The offense of willfully telling an untruth or making a misrepresentation under oath.
    • Example: She faced charges of perjury after giving false testimony in court.
    • Pronunciation: PUR-juh-ree

14. Blackmail

    • Definition: The act of demanding payment or another benefit from someone in return for not revealing compromising information about them.
    • Example: He was a victim of blackmail, threatened with the release of private photos.
    • Pronunciation: BLACK-mayl

15. Bribery

    • Definition: The act of giving or receiving something of value in exchange for influence or action.
    • Example: The politician denied allegations of bribery during the election period.
    • Pronunciation: BRY-ber-ee

16. Malice

    • Definition: The intention or desire to do evil; ill will.
    • Example: His actions were driven by malice, aiming to harm his former partner.
    • Pronunciation: MAL-is

17. Arson

    • Definition: The criminal act of deliberately setting fire to property.
    • Example: The damaged building was caused by arson, leading to extensive investigations.
    • Pronunciation: AR-suhn

18. Cybercrime

    • Definition: Criminal activities carried out by means of computers or the internet.
    • Example: Cybercrime is a growing concern as more people conduct business online.
    • Pronunciation: SIGH-bur-krym

19. Extortion

    • Definition: The practice of obtaining something, especially money, through force or threats.
    • Example: The company faced extortion demands from a hacker who threatened to release sensitive data.
    • Pronunciation: ik-STOR-shun

20. Domestic Violence

    • Definition: Violent or aggressive behavior within the home, typically involving the abuse of a spouse or partner.
    • Example: The shelter provides services to victims of domestic violence seeking safety.
    • Pronunciation: doh-MES-tik VY-luhns

21. Sexual Assault

    • Definition: Any sexual act performed against someone without that person's consent.
    • Example: The victim reported the incident of sexual assault to the police.
    • Pronunciation: SEK-shuhl uh-SAULT

22. Stalking

    • Definition: Repeatedly following or harassing someone, causing them to feel fear or distress.
    • Example: She obtained a restraining order against her stalker after feeling threatened.
    • Pronunciation: STAW-king

23. Conspiracy

    • Definition: An agreement between two or more persons to commit an illegal act at some time in the future.
    • Example: The two men were arrested for conspiracy to commit fraud.
    • Pronunciation: kuhn-SPIR-uh-see

24. Hate Crime

    • Definition: A criminal act motivated by prejudice or bias against a person or group based on attributes such as race, religion, or sexual orientation.
    • Example: The attack was classified as a hate crime due to the victim's ethnicity.
    • Pronunciation: HAYT KRYM

25. Witness Tampering

    • Definition: The act of attempting to interfere with a witness's testimony, usually through intimidation or coercion.
    • Example: He was charged with witness tampering after trying to influence the witness's statement.
    • Pronunciation: WIT-nis TAM-per-ing

26. Public Intoxication

    • Definition: Being visibly drunk or under the influence of drugs in a public space, typically a criminal offense.
    • Example: He was arrested for public intoxication after causing a disturbance at the park.
    • Pronunciation: PUB-lik in-TOX-i-KAY-shun

27. Shoplifting

    • Definition: The act of stealing goods from a store while pretending to be a customer.
    • Example: She was caught shoplifting and banned from the store.
    • Pronunciation: SHOP-lif-ting

28. ** grand Theft **

    • Definition: The unlawful taking of someone’s property valued above a set amount, usually a felony offense.
    • Example: He was charged with grand theft for stealing a car.
    • Pronunciation: grand THEFT

29. Accomplice

    • Definition: A person who helps another commit a crime or wrongdoing.
    • Example: The authorities arrested her as an accomplice to the robbery.
    • Pronunciation: uh-KOM-plis

30. Counterfeiting

    • Definition: The illegal reproduction of something, typically money, with the intent of deception.
    • Example: Counterfeiting currency is a serious federal offense.
    • Pronunciation: KOUN-ter-fih-ting

31. Forcible Entry

    • Definition: The illegal act of entering another's property by force.
    • Example: The police charged the man with forcible entry after he broke down the door.
    • Pronunciation: FOR-suh-buhl EN-tree

32. Insider Trading

    • Definition: The illegal practice of trading on the stock exchange to one's own advantage through having access to confidential information.
    • Example: The executive was investigated for insider trading after suspicious stock sales.
    • Pronunciation: in-SY-der TRAY-ding

33. Public Disorder

    • Definition: Actions or behaviors that disturb the peace and invite legal action.
    • Example: Charges of public disorder were filed after the large fight in the street.
    • Pronunciation: PUB-lik di-SOR-der

34. Human Trafficking

    • Definition: The illegal trade of humans for exploitation, typically for forced labor or sexual slavery.
    • Example: Authorities are working to combat human trafficking through stricter laws.
    • Pronunciation: HYOO-mən TRAF-i-king

35. False Imprisonment

    • Definition: The unlawful restraint of an individual against their will.
    • Example: She filed a lawsuit for false imprisonment after being locked in the room.
    • Pronunciation: FAULS im-PRIZ-uhn-muhnt

36. Ransom

    • Definition: A sum of money or payment demanded for the release of a captive.
    • Example: The kidnappers demanded a ransom for the safe return of the abductee.
    • Pronunciation: RAN-suhm

37. Slander

    • Definition: The action or crime of making a false spoken statement damaging to a person's reputation.
    • Example: He filed a lawsuit against her for slander after false claims were spread.
    • Pronunciation: SLAN-der

38. Deception

    • Definition: The act of deceiving someone or misleading them; often associated with fraud.
    • Example: The scam was based on deception and trust manipulation.
    • Pronunciation: di-SEP-shun

39. Malware

    • Definition: Software designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems.
    • Example: The company's data breach was caused by malware infecting their network.
    • Pronunciation: MAL-wair

40. Plagiarism

    • Definition: The practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own.
    • Example: She was expelled for plagiarism after copying entire sections from another student's paper.
    • Pronunciation: PLAY-juh-riz-uhm

41. Subornation of Perjury

    • Definition: The act of persuading someone to commit perjury.
    • Example: The lawyer was disbarred for subornation of perjury after coaching witnesses to lie.
    • Pronunciation: suh-bor-NAY-shun of PER-juh-ree

42. Spying

    • Definition: The act of secretly watching or gathering information about people, organizations, or nations.
    • Example: He was arrested for spying for a foreign government.
    • Pronunciation: SPY-ing