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Synonyms

wrongdoer

American  
[rawng-doo-er, -doo-, rong-] / ˈrɔŋˌdu ər, -ˈdu-, ˈrɒŋ- /

noun

  1. a person who does wrong, especially a sinner or transgressor.

    Synonyms:
    offender, culprit, evildoer

wrongdoer British  
/ ˈrɒŋˌduːə /

noun

  1. a person who acts immorally or illegally

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of wrongdoer

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at wrong, doer

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

In any event the wrongdoer has a strong “incentive to do better,” whatever course the victim chooses.

From The Wall Street Journal Oct. 10, 2025

Lance Bombardier Davis explained that Gunner Beck "didn't want to be seen as the wrongdoer", and feared she would receive "backlash" if he lost his job as a result.

From BBC Feb. 11, 2025

The whole point of punitive damages is to punish the wrongdoer.

From Slate Feb. 26, 2024

Like others who challenged Communist Party policy, he was largely erased from the official record, and he was sometimes painted as a wrongdoer for having spoken out.

From New York Times Mar. 14, 2023

Certain excellent people will side with a pronounced wrongdoer, for no apparent cause; not necessarily from a charitable desire to give him another chance.

From India and the Indians by Edward Fenton Elwin

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