as in offenders
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 culprits
On one occasion, his father, Marland, went out with a saw to hunt down the culprits.
—
Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
The commute home is one of the biggest culprits.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
Fungal infections, leaf spot diseases, scale insects, and spider mites are among the most common culprits.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 15 May 2026
The McDowell County Sheriff’s Office reports the weapons were stolen this week, but investigators have not released details of how the culprits got into the home.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 14 May 2026
Dryers and washers are among the biggest culprits releasing them.
—Ryan Brennan
may 11, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 May 2026
Here are 10 of the most common culprits—and how to stop them.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 May 2026
Widespread software and charging problems were the culprits.
—James Raia, Mercury News, 4 May 2026
So, does Creasy expose the real culprits behind the deadly bombing and get Poe safely out of Brazil?
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
Jason Zengerle, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
The commute home is one of the biggest culprits.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
Fungal infections, leaf spot diseases, scale insects, and spider mites are among the most common culprits.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 15 May 2026
The McDowell County Sheriff’s Office reports the weapons were stolen this week, but investigators have not released details of how the culprits got into the home.
—Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 14 May 2026
Dryers and washers are among the biggest culprits releasing them.
—Ryan Brennan
may 11, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 May 2026
Here are 10 of the most common culprits—and how to stop them.
—Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 May 2026
Widespread software and charging problems were the culprits.
—James Raia, Mercury News, 4 May 2026
So, does Creasy expose the real culprits behind the deadly bombing and get Poe safely out of Brazil?
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for culprits
Noun
-
Those players were found guilty of tax evasion but avoided prison time thanks to a provision that allows a judge to waive sentences under two years in length for first-time offenders.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 May 2026
-
Now, a new dashboard shows the worst offenders.—
Jack Flemming,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
For more than two decades, legal cannabis operators paid taxes under a provision written to punish criminals.—
Javier Hasse,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
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The council vote comes at a time when the Parole Board has allowed the release from prison of dozens of criminals convicted of violent felonies, including first-degree murder.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Culprits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/culprits. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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