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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of culprits
The culprits, in his view, are the endocrine disruptors embedded in plastics, cosmetics, and above all pesticides, which a pregnant mother absorbs at levels that can affect not just her child but potentially her grandchildren.
—
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
Those tooth marks suggested the culprits couldn't be human.
—Michael H Gavshon, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
This specific blend helps reduce oxidative stress and chronic low-grade inflammation, two primary culprits behind blood vessel damage.
—Lauren Manaker, SELF, 2 Apr. 2026
More common culprits include a high-salt diet, eczema, allergies and sleep position.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
Rather than any single food group, the culprits were not enough protective elements such as omega-3 fatty acids found in seafood and or the fiber, fruits, and vegetables in healthy diets.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 31 Mar. 2026
In their latest motion, Zeigler’s attorneys say that Marques’ and other judges over the years have overlooked Felton Thomas and Edward Williams — two Black laborers who testified against Zeigler at his 1976 trial — as culprits.
—Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
The court case involving the Francoist throwback police culprits became a show trial for Spain’s young democracy.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026
But when someone ends up dead, the trip shifts to culprits and cover-ups.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026
Those tooth marks suggested the culprits couldn't be human.
—Michael H Gavshon, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
This specific blend helps reduce oxidative stress and chronic low-grade inflammation, two primary culprits behind blood vessel damage.
—Lauren Manaker, SELF, 2 Apr. 2026
More common culprits include a high-salt diet, eczema, allergies and sleep position.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
Rather than any single food group, the culprits were not enough protective elements such as omega-3 fatty acids found in seafood and or the fiber, fruits, and vegetables in healthy diets.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 31 Mar. 2026
In their latest motion, Zeigler’s attorneys say that Marques’ and other judges over the years have overlooked Felton Thomas and Edward Williams — two Black laborers who testified against Zeigler at his 1976 trial — as culprits.
—Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
The court case involving the Francoist throwback police culprits became a show trial for Spain’s young democracy.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026
But when someone ends up dead, the trip shifts to culprits and cover-ups.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for culprits
Noun
-
He was convicted in 2019 at age 13 of assaulting another child at school with a hockey stick and placed under supervision of a local service for youth offenders.—
Brian Melley,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Apr. 2026
-
He was convicted in 2019, aged 13, of assaulting another child at school with a hockey stick and placed under supervision of a local service for youth offenders.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The scheme is designed to identify suspected criminals, combat identity fraud, and to police the EU's limit on 90-day stays within a 180-day period, according to the European Commission.—
Emma Clarke,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Rex Heuermann, the man known as the Gilgo Beach killer, admitted to killing eight women over a span of decades, and the FBI is now looking into what motivated the 62-year-old to carry out his crimes to help capture other criminals in the future.—
Matt Lavietes,
NBC news,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Culprits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/culprits. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
