as in offender
Related Words
Relevance
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 perpetrator
The idea behind genetic genealogy is to take DNA from a crime scene and enter it into a publicly accessible genealogy DNA database in hopes of finding a close enough match to relatives of the unknown perpetrator.
—
Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
Two chairs were found propped up by the window, mirroring how they had been placed outside Elizabeth’s home — a detail only the perpetrator would have known, as police had not released that information to the public, according to the documentary.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
From the 1980s on, the county’s music scene has specialized in white-power rock bands, including one that featured the future perpetrator of the 2012 massacre of worshippers at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 22 Jan. 2026
Alan Wade Wilmer, of Lancaster County, was determined to be the perpetrator in the deaths of Cathleen Thomas and Rebecca Dowski, who were found dead inside their vehicle along the Colonial Parkway in October 1986, according to the FBI Norfolk Field Office.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
Testing confirmed Carney’s DNA matched the perpetrator’s in the 1991 Plano case and the 1999 Dallas case, according to the release.
—Timia Cobb
breaking News Reporter, Dallas Morning News, 21 Jan. 2026
The bill seeks to classify grooming as a Class A misdemeanor if the perpetrator is 18 years or older and the victim is less than 14 years old.
—Stephanie Kuzydym, Louisville Courier Journal, 13 Jan. 2026
Police later determined that the perpetrator had shot Belinda with a 12-gauge shotgun in the back of the head.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 11 Jan. 2026
The perpetrator must be held accountable, and Secretary Noem must answer for this shooting as well as other recent acts of violence by her officers and agents.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 8 Jan. 2026
Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
Two chairs were found propped up by the window, mirroring how they had been placed outside Elizabeth’s home — a detail only the perpetrator would have known, as police had not released that information to the public, according to the documentary.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
From the 1980s on, the county’s music scene has specialized in white-power rock bands, including one that featured the future perpetrator of the 2012 massacre of worshippers at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 22 Jan. 2026
Alan Wade Wilmer, of Lancaster County, was determined to be the perpetrator in the deaths of Cathleen Thomas and Rebecca Dowski, who were found dead inside their vehicle along the Colonial Parkway in October 1986, according to the FBI Norfolk Field Office.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
Testing confirmed Carney’s DNA matched the perpetrator’s in the 1991 Plano case and the 1999 Dallas case, according to the release.
—Timia Cobb
breaking News Reporter, Dallas Morning News, 21 Jan. 2026
The bill seeks to classify grooming as a Class A misdemeanor if the perpetrator is 18 years or older and the victim is less than 14 years old.
—Stephanie Kuzydym, Louisville Courier Journal, 13 Jan. 2026
Police later determined that the perpetrator had shot Belinda with a 12-gauge shotgun in the back of the head.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 11 Jan. 2026
The perpetrator must be held accountable, and Secretary Noem must answer for this shooting as well as other recent acts of violence by her officers and agents.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perpetrator
Noun
-
Boardman imposed a sentence of 97 months, citing Roske’s mental health and concerns about incarceration conditions and his status as a first-time criminal offender.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Since 2013, the law has allowed juvenile offenders serving life without parole to petition to have their sentence recalled and to be resentenced.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Damien orders — which also happens to be the title of de Araújo’s autobiographical segment for The Moth — before dashing after the perp.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
24 Jan. 2026
-
In October, Bitcoin suffered a flash crash, largely due to highly leveraged positions on perps, causing its price to dip below $85,000 and billions of dollars in losses.—
Leo Schwartz,
Fortune,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Immigration and Integration Minister Rasmus Stoklund said 315 foreign criminals from countries outside the European Union had received sentences of more than a year over the last five years but were not expelled.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The Justice Department did not respond to a request for comment, but officials there have broadly defended the department’s actions as not only justified but necessary for ensuring the rule of law and holding alleged criminals to account.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Miller called him an assassin on social media; Vice President JD Vance reposted the message.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The 384-page hardcover focuses on the game's main antagonist, crime lord Jaylen Vrax, and his intimidating assassin droid ND-5.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Surveillance video showed a masked gunman shooting him from behind.—
MICHAEL R. SISAK THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Both papers hurried to make the most of this dramatic event, no matter how little reporters actually knew about the identity of the gunman or his motives for shooting four people.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Another alleged member of the Latin Kings was charged in federal court in the District of Minnesota this month with being a felon in possession of a firearm and theft of government property after breaking into an FBI vehicle and stealing a rifle.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Pharr faces charges of assault with a semiautomatic firearm and possession of a firearm by a felon.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
There can be no doubt that in tax terms, America’s wealthiest families make out like bandits.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The robbery lasted less than seven minutes, as the bandits used a truck with an extendable ladder to cut through a window on a second-floor balcony, according to police.—
Mason Leath,
ABC News,
27 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Other malefactors he’s let off the hook include Changpeng Zhao, the money-laundering former CEO of Binance, which has ties to the Trump family’s cryptocurrency business; disgraced former congressman and embezzler George Santos; and Illinois’ politically corrupt former governor, Rod Blagojevich.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
10 Dec. 2025
-
Electronic medical records were once touted as secure, but whole hospital systems have been taken down and held for ransom by malefactors.—
Cory Franklin,
Twin Cities,
23 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Perpetrator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perpetrator. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
