crook vs desperate criminal

Other hyponyms of crook include accessary, accessory, arsonist, firebug, incendiary, blackmailer, extortioner, extortionist, bootlegger, moonshiner, briber, suborner, coconspirator, conspirator, machinator, plotter, desperado, fugitive, fugitive from justice, gangster, mobster, highbinder, highjacker, hijacker, goon, hood, hoodlum, punk, strong-armer, thug, tough, toughie, gaolbird, jail bird, jailbird, abductor, kidnaper, kidnapper, snatcher, mafioso, gangster's moll, gun moll, moll, liquidator, manslayer, murderer, parolee, probationer, drug dealer, drug peddler, drug trafficker, peddler, pusher, racketeer, raper, rapist, habitual criminal, recidivist, repeater, scofflaw, contrabandist, moon-curser, moon curser, runner, smuggler, stealer, thief, traitor, treasonist, law offender, lawbreaker, violator.