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
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Recent Examples of culprit
While disposals, drains, trash bins, and dishwashers are some of the most likely culprits, your walls and other surfaces could be a source of lingering odors, too.
—
Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2025
In fact, usage of dental services has been on the decline lately--in part because here, too, higher prices are a culprit.
—Kelly Evans, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025
The culprit was caught, the NPS said.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 31 Oct. 2025
The main culprit is Towne’s way-too-precious filmmaking, but Farrell’s performance also offers little in the way of surprise or inspiration.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for culprit
Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2025
In fact, usage of dental services has been on the decline lately--in part because here, too, higher prices are a culprit.
—Kelly Evans, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025
The culprit was caught, the NPS said.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 31 Oct. 2025
The main culprit is Towne’s way-too-precious filmmaking, but Farrell’s performance also offers little in the way of surprise or inspiration.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for culprit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for culprit
Noun
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Boardman imposed a sentence of 97 months, citing Roske’s mental health and concerns about incarceration conditions and his status as a first-time criminal offender.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Jan. 2026
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Since 2013, the law has allowed juvenile offenders serving life without parole to petition to have their sentence recalled and to be resentenced.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In other court cases, some civil and some criminal, involving a total of nearly 300 additional hectares near Vlora, Shehu and his family members are accused of grabbing property through similar forgeries.—
Lindita Cela,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
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The trio has a surprisingly good theory about the implosion of the makeshift Astral Pulse; seems like Shroud never found the original, and someone has been outfitting low-level criminals with bootlegs that are going awry like Robert’s.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Culprit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/culprit. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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