perpetrator

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "perpetrator" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a person who commits a crime or a wrongful act. Example: "The police are still searching for the perpetrator of the robbery that occurred last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We will do everything, I repeat, everything to help bring this perpetrator to justice".

The Guardian

They are advocating for a mechanism to end war with more attention to a perpetrator not victims.

The Guardian

It is usually denied by the perpetrator and his victim.

The Guardian

"I fear he will say: 'Now, my brother is not a man.'" It is for this reason that both perpetrator and victim enter a conspiracy of silence and why male survivors often find, once their story is discovered, that they lose the support and comfort of those around them.

The Guardian

Privately, police sources believe the perpetrator was disturbed, perhaps by a passing motorist, and panicked.

The Guardian

"To those who are incapable of presenting the historic truth in an honest way, I want to say that Poland was not a perpetrator but a victim of world war two," the prime minister, Ewa Kopacz, said on Sunday.

The Guardian

In some communities every person had reported being affected by child sexual abuse, either as a victim, perpetrator or relative.

The Guardian

For the victim there is always the fear – that if the perpetrator is not forthcoming or apologetic, what can stop him or her from doing it all over again?

The Guardian

More importantly still, focusing on responses fails to put the blame squarely where it really belongs – with the perpetrator.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But when I contact Stemple by email, she describes a "constant drum beat that women are the rape victims" and a milieu in which men are treated as a "monolithic perpetrator class".

The Guardian

Seek informal resolution early in the conflict – speaking to the perpetrator early on may enable resolution without formal approaches that can be lengthy and stressful.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal or criminal contexts, using the term "perpetrator" can provide a more neutral and objective tone compared to terms like "criminal" or "offender", especially when the individual's guilt has not yet been definitively established.

Common error

While "perpetrator" is a correct term, it can sound overly formal or dramatic in everyday conversation or informal writing. Consider using simpler alternatives like "person responsible" or "the one who did it" in less serious contexts.

Linguistic Context

The word "perpetrator" functions primarily as a noun, designating an individual who has committed a crime or a harmful act. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples in varied contexts, ranging from news reports to academic discussions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "perpetrator" correctly identifies the individual responsible for an act, mainly in formal and professional contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig, its register is neutral to formal, commonly appearing in news and legal settings. While grammatically sound, consider alternatives like "offender" or "culprit" for nuanced meanings or less formal tones. Be cautious of sounding overly dramatic in casual conversations, where simpler terms might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offender

Focuses on the act of breaking a rule or law, often in a legal context.

culprit

Implies guilt or responsibility for a specific wrongdoing, often used in investigative contexts.

wrongdoer

A broad term for someone who does something morally or legally wrong.

criminal

Specifically refers to someone who has committed a crime.

aggressor

Implies the initiation of violence or hostility.

transgressor

Highlights the act of violating a moral or ethical boundary.

malefactor

A formal term for someone who does evil or harm.

attacker

Focuses on the act of physically or verbally assaulting someone.

assailant

Similar to "attacker", but often used in the context of a sudden or violent attack.

felon

Refers to someone who has been convicted of a serious crime.

FAQs

How is "perpetrator" typically used in a sentence?

The term "perpetrator" is generally used as a noun to refer to the person who committed a crime or wrongful act. For example, "The police are searching for the "perpetrator" of the robbery."

What can I say instead of "perpetrator"?

You can use alternatives like "offender", "culprit", or "wrongdoer" depending on the specific context and the nature of the act committed.

Which is correct, "perpetrator" or "victim"?

"Perpetrator" refers to the person who commits a harmful act, while "victim" refers to the person who suffers from that act. They are opposites, so the correct term depends on who you are referring to in the situation.

What's the difference between "perpetrator" and "suspect"?

A ""perpetrator"" is someone who has committed a crime or harmful act, whereas a "suspect" is someone who is believed to have possibly committed the act but has not yet been proven guilty.