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
• suspect
• perpetrator
• 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

The state agency said there are similarities among the incidents, including timing and the types of technology used, but investigators haven’t determined if the same culprit was behind each one. — Jamie Stengle, Fortune, 31 July 2026

Recipe developer Marissa Stevens also highlights cooking spray as being a top culprit in a sticky cookware situation. — Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 31 July 2026

Netanyahu pointed to the rise of social media and bot farms as a potential culprit. — Mariam Khan, ABC News, 29 July 2026

Active ingredients that work deep within the skin, like retinoids or azelaic acid, can often be the culprits. — Twiggy Jalloh, Vogue, 28 July 2026

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!