Synonyms of culprit

culprit

noun

ˈkəl-prət 

as in offender

a person who has committed a crime

the police caught the culprit a mere two blocks from the scene of the crime

Synonyms & Similar Words

• offender
• criminal
• defendant
• lawbreaker
• perpetrator
• suspect
• malefactor
• miscreant
• crook
• accomplice
• principal
• villain
• perp
• convict
• outlaw
• wrongdoer
• misdemeanant
• thug
• trespasser
• transgressor
• desperado
• gun
• gangster
• jailbird
• triggerman
• fish
• sinner
• hooligan
• hoodlum
• mobster
• racketeer
• recidivist
• accused
• evildoer
• arrestee
• misdoer
• detainee
• backslider
• button man
• misfeasor
• gunsel
• gallows bird
• gunman
• enforcer
• hit man
• repeater
• blackhander
• relapser

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lawman
• gangbuster

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of culprit

If hard water minerals are the culprit rather than chlorine, though, a filter alone is unlikely to make a noticeable difference. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Sep. 2026

Executives and analysts have pointed to previous management’s underinvestment in the company’s products as the primary culprit for many of its business challenges. — Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026

As the series jumps between the past and present, Evert starts to seem like the culprit. — Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026

Oil prices have been the largest culprit in keeping inflation elevated, with ongoing fighting with Iran disrupting oil supplies. — Medora Lee, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026

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