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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; 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.

But that same right to sue doesn’t apply when the alleged wrongdoer is an employee of the federal government.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Scrutinizing wrongdoers, reporters uncover competitors poised to benefit from doing business right, especially when frauds get caught.”

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From The Wall Street Journal

The mayor backed Sir Mark, saying he had confidence in the commissioner's efforts to kick wrongdoers out of the Met.

From BBC

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

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.