Thesaurus results for PERPETRATOR

perpetrator

noun

Definition of perpetrator

as in offender

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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 Several years before, in 1991, an unknown perpetrator set fire to a portion of the Willamette National Forest. — Literary Hub, 10 July 2026 The perpetrator, Omar Mateen, was born in New York to Afghan immigrant parents and had pledged his loyalty to the Islamic State. — Anna Mulrine Grobe, Christian Science Monitor, 10 July 2026 The sophistication of the bomb used indicates that more than one perpetrator was involved, prosecutors said at the time. — Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN Money, 7 July 2026 In April, Florida’s attorney general opened a criminal investigation into the alleged perpetrator’s interactions with ChatGPT before the 2025 mass shooting at Florida State University. — Ryan McBain, STAT, 2 July 2026 The Chatrie case involves the hunt for a suspect in an armed bank robbery in busy Midlothian, Virginia, in May 2019, and how police settled on a man named Okello Chatrie as the perpetrator. — Anne Toomey McKenna, The Conversation, 30 June 2026 The prosecutor’s office called Bravo’s killing retaliation for her work against organized crime, but the perpetrator escaped the scene and remains at large. — Will Freeman, New Yorker, 30 June 2026 These elements matched Weakfall’s methods, though the reports suggested a noticeably taller, older perpetrator. — Joaquin Sapien, ProPublica, 30 June 2026 The attack, which was captured on video and shared on social media, led to condemnation of the perpetrator and an outpouring of support for the food vendor, who was identified by her family members as Arabelia Martinez, 62. — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for perpetrator

Noun

Independence Day celebrations come in the most challenging threat environment since 9/11, with the ongoing terror threat, a rise in political violence and continuing fears about lone-wolf offenders, according to Raia.

— Luke Barr, ABC News, 3 July 2026
There were also concerns listed in the analysis that the registry, which dates back to 1947, could include LGBTQ+ offenders from decades ago who were convicted of offenses that are no longer crimes.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

Definition of offender

Noun

Stock Chart IconStock chart icon SpaceX, 1 day The accuracy of the perp pricing for such a high-profile event keeps pressure on traditional exchanges who have to keep up with the rapid evolution of investment products and asset classes like event contracts and perpetual futures.

— Oliver Renick, CNBC, 15 June 2026
But then a rumor started that Detective Jennifer Lawrence was the one who’d ID’d the perp.

— Kate Aurthur, Variety, 11 June 2026

Definition of perp

Noun

Data that appears to be compliance information to a regulator can appear to be a target list to a criminal.

— Susie Violet Ward, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
The Colorado attorney general oversees more than 700 attorneys and staff and manages legal manners spanning consumer protection, civil rights, criminal, water, constitutional and environmental law.

— Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 1 July 2026

Definition of criminal

Noun

Judith claims to be a forensic accountant, but is actually a career assassin whose very name sends shivers of fear through her enemies and ones of excitement through her admirers.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026
Julie has returned her old ways as an assassin, whilst navigating an equally perilous dating scene, while Edward’s honeymoon with Kayla (Shalom Brune-Franklin) doesn’t go quite as planned.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 6 July 2026

Definition of assassin

Noun

His aunt’s murder made headlines in 2022 — Keyaira Rattray-Brothers, 17, was killed when a revenge-seeking gunman survived an attempt on his life, then went on a four-day shooting spree in December 2022.

— Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 12 July 2026
Less than three weeks ago, the country was devastated by another mass shooting when a gunman opened fire in Montreal.

— Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 12 July 2026

Definition of gunman

Noun

Iván stars as Joseph Santiago, a former felon who uncovers a corporate cover-up while investigating a car accident on behalf of a victim’s family.

— Jack Dunn, Variety, 16 July 2026
Turner was convicted in May 2025 of first-degree murder and the unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon.

— Eleanor Jacobs, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026

Definition of felon

Noun

Instead, most are romantic stories about young lovers separated by fate, and the rest are swashbuckling adventures full of bandits and pirates.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 June 2026
Fantastical adventures ensue as the pair encounter a mysterious woman, Alexandra, who has lost her son, along with coyotes, bandits, and some pretty big secrets.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 29 June 2026

Definition of bandit

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“Perpetrator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perpetrator. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of perpetrator

noun

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