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

Though Nesmith was a former Dog and was never part of Lamb’s operation, Lamb and River are certain that Harkness is the culprit and are naturally concerned about what’s coming next. — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026

And, unsurprisingly, the culprit behind this significant, long-term ice loss? — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 23 Sep. 2026

When the popular young man is found dead after a show, the culprit becomes even harder to find within this regime built on silence and fear. — Callum McLennan, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026

The culprits are Aedes aegypti, primarily daytime biters that thrive in urban and suburban areas and breed in flowerpots, buckets and other smaller containers, said Steve Harrison, manager of Orange County Mosquito Control. — Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026

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