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
Although the causes are numerous, excess oil production and clogs are two of the most common culprits.
—
Esme Benjamin, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
The culprit turned out to be none other than Lauryn’s own mother, Kendra Licari, who was arrested in December 2022, per NBC News.
—Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Suppose the number is read in one case out of a hundred, and that the information reaches someone who apprehends the culprit in one case out of one thousand.
—Thomas Brewster, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
When this sort of explanation is merely an excuse for gender discrimination, courts ferret out the real reason and punish the culprit.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for culprit
Esme Benjamin, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
The culprit turned out to be none other than Lauryn’s own mother, Kendra Licari, who was arrested in December 2022, per NBC News.
—Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Suppose the number is read in one case out of a hundred, and that the information reaches someone who apprehends the culprit in one case out of one thousand.
—Thomas Brewster, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
When this sort of explanation is merely an excuse for gender discrimination, courts ferret out the real reason and punish the culprit.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for culprit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for culprit
Noun
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Insist that the federal government deploy those resources to get the violent offenders who are killing, assaulting and robbing law-abiding citizens on the city’s South and West sides.—
Laura Washington,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
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Kentucky's persistent felony offender (PFO) law, enacted in 1974 and expanded in 1976, allows for enhanced sentences for repeat felony offenders.—
Quinlan Bentley,
The Enquirer,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Lawmakers in many states have changed the rules in recent decades to protect winners from being targeted by criminals and unscrupulous people asking for money.—
Safiyah Riddle,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Sep. 2025
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Her Eco-Age consultancy, targeted by criminals and forced to close in 2024 after 17 years in business, had advised clients on industry developments, changes to government policies and practical guidance on how to avoid greenwashing.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Culprit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/culprit. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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