Thesaurus results for PERPETRATOR

perpetrator

noun

Definition of perpetrator

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 victim's mother wants to see the perpetrator locked up indefinitely. — Eric MacK, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026 But, in an unexpected twist for the ranger, the faith leader is involved in the robberies though as a victim not a perpetrator. — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026 Video recordings and documents detail how investigators pursued the case, and the possibility of abuse, for months but failed to identify a perpetrator. — Amy Brittain, Washington Post, 21 Aug. 2026 Dream forward Angel Reese quickly pointed out the perpetrator from her seat on the bench, and the spectator was apprehended by arena security. — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 The perpetrator carried out the attack at the Brinell School in Fagersta, northwest of Stockholm, while classes were in session with about 400 to 500 students, officials said. — CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026 Most people in this situation would be highly stressed, especially if the perpetrator were in the room. — Michele Patterson Ford, The Conversation, 19 Aug. 2026 The teen did not know the alleged perpetrator, according to police. — Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026 Both gender critical feminists and trans activists have become locked in endless battles around safety and danger, victim versus perpetrator. — Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for perpetrator

Noun

At the same hearing, a fifth defendant, Subhan Ahmed, 18, pleaded not guilty to a charge of assisting an offender.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Hisbah members also face widespread allegations of rights abuses in their enforcement operations, including subjecting offenders to dehumanizing punishments such as public beatings or shaming.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of offender

Noun

Video obtained by Fox News Digital showed Paya being cuffed and taken away on a golf cart by federal police before another video showed him in an orange jumpsuit being perp-walked to a helicopter.

— Eric Mack, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Total notional perp volume across both centralized and decentralized exchanges averaged about $150 billion per day this year, down from a high of near $200 billion/day last year, according to data compiled by CNBC.

— Oliver Renick, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of perp

Noun

Making everyone a potential spy or assassin was only an expedient way to destroy institutions internally and externally through financial incentives.

— Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
Skirting bravely around the edges of space to seek solace, they’re hunted by the Operative (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a deadly Alliance assassin on a mission who seeks to recapture her.

— Grace Dean, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of assassin

Noun

The alleged gunman, Jesus Acosta, is also wanted for a murder at Brooklyn’s American Best Wings and Pizza 48 hours earlier.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026
On March 12, a gunman drove through the halls of Temple Israel with several explosives and a rifle in his vehicle before being killed in an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement on March 12.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of gunman

Noun

Lonnie Bierbrodt, a trucker and a felon on parole, was questioned early in 1993 and had blood and hair samples taken.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026
He has been charged with murder, assault, and being a 10-time felon in possession of a firearm, court records show.

— Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of felon

Noun

Analysts warn each ransom payment fuels more crime as armed groups, from rural bandits to Islamist militants, raid schools, mosques and villages, with an average of 21 kidnappings reported daily.

— Dyepkazah Shibayan, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
The Brigands of Rattlecreek follows a sheriff and a doctor who seek revenge against a group of bandits who use the cover of a torrential thunderstorm to rob and terrorize the occupants of a small town.

— Matt Grobar, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of bandit

Noun

The malefactor re-wrote the entire introduction to Altman's Wiki entry in the past tense, according to Gadget Review.

— Emily Forlini, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2026
Once a small-time robber, Pepper is now crumbling from advanced age and damage inflicted by many malefactors, including Pepper himself.

— David Hajdu, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026

Definition of malefactor

Browse Nearby Words

perpetrations

perpetrator

perpetrators

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Perpetrator.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perpetrator. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of perpetrator

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

dissonant

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes