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

“Now, with French authorities and the U.S. Department of Justice identifying Dmitry Klyuev as the mastermind, we finally see a trial against the key perpetrator of the $230 million fraud uncovered by Sergei Magnitsky.”

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

"I dare hope he is not the perpetrator of this heinous crime, because otherwise it would once again be a descent into hell, both for me and for his children."

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 4, 2026

These arguments about legal standards for asylum shouldn’t result in a child being detained, because of the level of harm, and the perpetrator of the harm in the individual’s home country.

From Slate • Feb. 2, 2026

The slightest breach in decorum would find the perpetrator kicked off on the side of the road, no matter where we were.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam

Related Words

• crook
• culprit
• miscreant
• trespasser
• violator