perpetrators

USAGE SUMMARY

'perpetrators' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun that means someone who has committed a crime, offense, or wrong. Example sentence: The police are searching for the perpetrators of the armed robbery.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Despite RSPB appeals on the web and in local press, with an offer of a £1,000 reward, no one in the area has yet identified the perpetrators.

The Guardian

The list of internationally approved war crimes indictments drawn up by the commission cover important modern categories of crimes, including aggression, genocide, crimes against humanity, modes of liability – including that of mid-level perpetrators - and international procedures, as well as the development of international criminal justice as a whole.

The Guardian

"At this point we have no definitive evidence of the nationalities or identities of the perpetrators," a State Department spokesman told the Guardian.

The Guardian

If we are going to respond other than in feel-good ways, we're going to have to target it where it's most likely to happen, both for victims and perpetrators.

The Guardian - Opinion

Young people committed "a significant portion" of sexual offences, resulting in trauma to both victims and perpetrators, and the taskforce discovered evidence of sexual favours and prostitution to obtain alcohol and drugs, including among underage boys and girls.

The Guardian

And that raises complicated implementation questions, which cannot be neatly summarised into the ridiculous binary of being for or against the perpetrators of beheadings.

The Guardian

"When you see these amendments that give more rights to perpetrators than Native women, you start to wonder where the balance is," she said.

The New York Times

Typically, the mechanisms involved include retribution against perpetrators through the criminal justice system, and reparations to victims, including the return of property, financial compensation for suffering, or symbolic gestures such as overturning unjust convictions – as well as simply saying sorry.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Czech office for the protection of personal data, found that although Ryneš had been trying to expose the perpetrators of a crime, he had infringed data-protection rules and issued him with a fine.

The Guardian

What the IOM could not do, he added, was punish the perpetrators: "Prosecuting offenders is a matter for the police and the state, not us".

The Guardian

"Both entities approached Dallas, Texas, with hatred in their hearts," she said, of the AFDI and the perpetrators of the brazen attack, that had shaken her community "and brought turmoil and fear into our midst".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "perpetrators" when you want to specifically denote those who have committed a wrongdoing, especially in legal or formal contexts. Ensure the term accurately reflects the actions of the individuals in question.

Common error

Do not use "perpetrators" loosely or without clear evidence of wrongdoing. Ensure there is a solid basis for identifying individuals as "perpetrators" to avoid potential defamation or misrepresentation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "perpetrators" is as a plural noun. It refers to individuals who have committed a crime, offense, or wrongdoing. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "perpetrators" is a plural noun used to refer to individuals who commit a crime or wrongdoing. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media, as supported by the examples. When using "perpetrators", ensure that it accurately reflects the actions of the individuals in question and avoid using it loosely or without clear evidence of wrongdoing. Synonyms include "offenders", "wrongdoers", and "culprits", which can be used depending on the specific context. The register is generally formal, making it suitable for legal, journalistic, and formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offenders

Emphasizes the act of breaking a law or rule.

wrongdoers

Highlights the moral aspect of the offense.

criminals

Specifically refers to those who have committed crimes.

culprits

Focuses on identifying the guilty party in a particular situation.

transgressors

Implies a violation of moral or religious law.

assailants

Specifically refers to someone who attacks another person.

aggressors

Highlights the initiation of hostile actions.

attackers

Focuses on the act of launching an attack.

the guilty parties

A more descriptive and formal way to refer to those responsible.

those responsible

A general term indicating accountability for an action.

FAQs

How is "perpetrators" typically used in a sentence?

The word "perpetrators" is used as a noun to refer to individuals who have committed a crime or harmful act. For example, "The police are actively seeking the "perpetrators" of the robbery".

What are some synonyms for "perpetrators"?

Alternatives to "perpetrators" include "offenders", "wrongdoers", "criminals", or "culprits", depending on the context.

What is the difference between "perpetrators" and "suspects"?

"Perpetrators" refers to individuals who have been confirmed to have committed a crime, while "suspects" are those who are believed to have possibly committed the crime but have not been proven guilty.

Is it appropriate to use "perpetrators" when the accused haven't been convicted?

It's generally better to use terms like "suspects" or "alleged offenders" when referring to individuals who have been accused but not yet convicted, as using "perpetrators" implies guilt.