perpetrator

American  

[pur-pi-trey-ter] / ˈpɜr pɪˌtreɪ tər /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of perpetrator

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

The lack of perpetrators hasn’t calmed the mania.

From The Wall Street Journal

"These cuts and reductions untie perpetrators' hands everywhere, leaving them to do whatever they please. With crises mounting, we cannot afford a human rights system in crisis," he added.

From Barron's

Authorities are now investigating whether any of the deaths are related or the work of the same perpetrator.

From Los Angeles Times

The memorials warned that fake content was also being created "specifically to dilute historical facts, shift victim and perpetrator roles, or spread revisionist narratives".

From Barron's

The powerful are assumed to be perpetrators, the powerless victims.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• crook
• culprit
• miscreant
• trespasser
• violator