wrongdoer

USAGE SUMMARY

'wrongdoer' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone who has done something wrong, either deliberately or accidentally. For example: "The wrongdoer was punished for his misdeeds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

By counting each e-mail sent by a white-collar wrongdoer as a separate case of wire fraud, prosecutors can threaten him with a gargantuan sentence unless he confesses, or informs on his boss.

The Economist

High-profile arrests are one thing: actually convicting a wrongdoer in a timely and transparent fashion quite another.

The Economist

Nor are heavy punitive damages normally awarded; the European corporate wrongdoer is more likely to be prosecuted, and punished, in the criminal courts.American-style contingency fees are also rare.

The Economist

At least when Mr Netanyahu was doing his worst, say the Palestinians, over-simplifying as usual, outsiders could distinguish the wrongdoer from the wronged.Nobody, many Palestinians conclude, could be doing their cause more harm than Israel's current prime minister.

The Economist

Unlike the FCPA, it has a "compliance defence" that allows a company to avoid the harshest penalties if the wrongdoer is a junior employee and the firm otherwise has a strict anti-bribery policy which is clear to all employees and effectively administered.

The Economist

The most that aggrieved authors can count on is to shame the wrongdoer.

The Economist

Across cultures recent and past, the intentions of the wrongdoer matter more than the harm caused.

The Economist

When Mr Chan tried to sack one egregious wrongdoer, his well-placed relation in the municipal government objected.

The Economist

Ideally, the wrongdoer directly addresses the victim.

SEP

Of course, wrongdoing may call for punishment and may be grounds for forfeiting certain rights, but it is not grounds for losing dignity or for regarding the wrongdoer as worthless scum.

SEP

The concern expressed in this remark is that whereas God's forgiveness is supposedly unilateral, unilateral human forgiveness may be irresponsible, as when a victim of wrong forgives a wrongdoer irrespective of any signs of repentance on the part of the wrongdoer.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal or ethical matters, ensure the term "wrongdoer" is appropriate by considering the specific nature and context of the wrongdoing.

Common error

Do not assume that all "wrongdoers" are inherently malicious; consider the possibility of unintentional or circumstantial wrongdoing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "wrongdoer" is as a noun, identifying an individual who has committed a wrong act. As shown by Ludwig, the word frequently appears as the subject or object of sentences concerning justice, ethics, and legal proceedings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "wrongdoer" is a common and versatile noun used to describe someone who has committed a wrong act. Ludwig AI indicates that the word is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, especially in news, media, and scientific discussions. While relatively neutral, its formality can shift based on the context. For more formal setting alternative such as "offender" can be more suited.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

offender

This term is a more general synonym, often used in legal contexts to refer to someone who has committed a crime.

perpetrator

This term emphasizes the act of carrying out a crime or wrongdoing.

culprit

This term implies blame or responsibility for a specific act, often used in detective or investigative contexts.

criminal

This term specifically denotes someone who has committed a crime and is subject to legal penalties.

lawbreaker

This term is a straightforward description of someone who violates the law.

transgressor

This word suggests a violation of moral or religious principles.

felon

This term refers to someone convicted of a serious crime.

malefactor

This term refers to someone who commits evil or harmful acts.

miscreant

This term is often used humorously or disparagingly to refer to someone who has behaved badly.

sinner

This term is specific to religious contexts, referring to someone who has violated divine law.

FAQs

How to use "wrongdoer" in a sentence?

You can use "wrongdoer" to refer to someone who has committed an offense, as in, "The "wrongdoer" was brought to justice for their actions."

What can I say instead of "wrongdoer"?

Alternatives to "wrongdoer" include "offender", "culprit", or "perpetrator", depending on the context and the specific nature of the wrongdoing.

Is "wrongdoer" a formal or informal term?

"Wrongdoer" is a relatively neutral term that can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal terms like "offender" may be preferred in legal or official settings.

What is the difference between a "wrongdoer" and a "criminal"?

A "wrongdoer" is a general term for someone who commits a wrong action. A "criminal" is someone who has committed a crime, a specific type of wrongdoing that violates the law. Not all wrongdoers are necessarily "criminals", as the wrongdoing may not be a crime.