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

However, a recent investigation into a 19th century Quaker cemetery in northeast England indicates the Industrial Revolution wasn’t the sole culprit behind this rickets endemic. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 5 Nov. 2026

According to our experts, this is the biggest culprit behind pilling. — Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 5 Nov. 2026

Compacted Soil Compacted soil is a common culprit of a less-than-perfect lawn—and fall is the perfect time to address this issue. — Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 5 Nov. 2026

The culprit behind these blooms is phosphorus, an element that is an essential building block of life, present in all organic matter. — Jonathan Mingle, ProPublica, 4 Nov. 2026

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