Another Word For Culprit

Meaning

The word "culprit" refers to a person who is responsible for a crime or a wrongdoing. It is often used in legal contexts or discussions about criminal justice, but can also be applied more generally to anyone responsible for a negative outcome or problem.

Synonyms

• Offender
• Wrongdoer
• Perpetrator
• Criminal
• Malefactor

Antonyms

• Victim
• Innocent
• Protector
• Defender

Etymology

The word "culprit" comes from the Middle English phrase "culprit," which is a contraction of "culpable" (meaning blameworthy) and "prisoner." It originally referred to a person accused in court and has evolved to its current meaning over time.

Examples

1. The police quickly identified the culprit behind the string of burglaries in the neighborhood.
2. During the group project, John reluctantly admitted that he was the culprit for missing the deadline.
3. The investigation revealed that the true culprit was someone who had been posing as a friend.
4. The environmental disaster had many factors, but one culprit was the company's negligence in waste management.
5. After examining the evidence, the jury found the defendant to be the main culprit in the case.