perpetrator

[ pur-pi-trey-ter ]

noun

1. a person who perpetrates, or commits, an illegal, criminal, or evil act:

   The perpetrators of this heinous crime must be found and punished to the fullest extent of the law.

Word History and Origins

Origin of perpetrator¹

First recorded in 1560–70; from Late Latin, from Latin perpetrāt(us), past participle of perpetrāre “to carry out, execute, perform” + -or -or ¹( def ); perpetrate ( def )

Example Sentences

Unrwa commissioner general Philippe Lazzarini did not identify the perpetrators, but he said the “total breakdown of civil order” in Gaza meant it had “become an impossible environment to operate in”.

From BBC

"If there's a perpetrator making a woman feel uncomfortable when she's spending extended time up at the bar asking staff - it could put her in a more vulnerable position."

From BBC

Alliance councillor Vicky Moore said the perpetrators had "nothing to offer" the community.

From BBC

Justice Minister David van Weel emphasised that Jewish people must feel safe in their own country and promised to deal severely with perpetrators.

From BBC

“I say to the alleged perpetrator, ‘It doesn’t matter if you have done 50 brilliant things, if you have abused a child’.

From BBC

Related Words

• crook
• culprit
• miscreant
• trespasser
• violator