1. a person who commits a crime or breaks a law
2. a person who does something wrong or causes offense

Examples

• The judge sentenced the repeat offender to five years in prison.
• First-time offenders often receive lighter sentences.
• The sex offender registry helps protect communities.
• Police arrested the suspected offender near the scene.
• The company fired the offender who violated workplace policies.
• Young offenders may be sent to juvenile detention centers.
• The worst offender in terms of pollution was the old factory.