wrongdoer

noun

wrong·​do·​er ˈrȯŋ-ˌdü-ər 

: one that does wrong

especially : one who transgresses moral laws

Synonyms

• criminal
• offender
• sinner
• villain

Examples of wrongdoer in a Sentence

anticorruption crusaders are going after wrongdoers at every level of the nation's government

Recent Examples on the Web

In Capitol Reef’s considerable backcountry–as in all underfunded national parks and monuments— staffing does not allow for constant patrolling to apprehend and ticket wrongdoers. —Stephen Trimble, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025

Maryland continues to maintain a civil justice system that favors wrongdoers instead of people innocently injured due to negligence. —Bruce M. Plaxen, Baltimore Sun, 12 July 2025

So, people may feel compelled to condemn the wrongdoer to restore a sense of justice. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025

Thanks to another recent court ruling, the FCC has also had a harder time fining wrongdoers, Quilici explained. —Alix Martichoux, The Hill, 20 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for wrongdoer

• pursuer
• rescuer
• reviewer
• bluer
• breuer
• brewer
• couper
• ewer
• fewer
• fluor
• hewer
• newer

Kids Definition

wrongdoer

noun

wrong·​do·​er ˈrȯŋ-ˈdü-ər 

: a person who does wrong and especially moral wrong

wrongdoing

-ˈdü-iŋ

noun

Legal Definition

wrongdoer

noun

wrong·​do·​er ˈrȯŋ-ˌdü-ər 

: one (as a criminal or tortfeasor) who does wrong