Recidivist – A convicted criminal who reoffends, especially repeatedly

(Pronounced ri-sid-uh-vis-t)

To remember the definition of the word recidivist, use the following mnemonic:

He returned again to sit in the dock for another visit (recidivist) to jail. The judge shook her head because of the amount of reoffending he had done.

Examples of recidivist in a sentence

For a first time offender the sentence may not have been as severe, but as a recidivist, he was given the harshest sentence the judge could give. 

As a recidivist, the prison board was much more reluctant to accept her request for parole.

Being a recidivist speeder earned her a much higher fine on her latest speeding ticket and cost her her licence too.