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Perpetrator

UK //ˈpɜː.pə.treɪ.tə// US //ˈpɜr.pə.trɪˌteɪ.tər// Pronunciation

Definition

A person who commits a crime or illegal act.

Listen to definition

In simple words: A person who commits a crime or harmful act.

Examples

• The police arrested the **perpetrator** after the robbery.
• Witnesses helped identify the **perpetrator** of the attack.
• The community was scared, knowing a **perpetrator** was still on the loose.
• Legal experts discussed the motives of the **perpetrator** in court.
• Reporting ensures that every **perpetrator** faces consequences for their actions.

Usage notes

Used in legal contexts and discussions about crime. Avoid informal situations.

Grammar pattern

noun + is + perpetrator

Memory hint

Think 'perp' as in 'perpetrator' - imagining someone sneaky.

Collocations

• identified perpetrator
• suspected perpetrator
• perpetrator arrested
• violent perpetrator
• perpetrator of a crime

Synonyms

• offender
• criminal
• wrongdoer
• malefactor
• transgressor

Common mistakes

• Confused with 'victim' - a perpetrator commits an act, while a victim suffers from it.
• Using it to describe an innocent person.
• Mispronouncing it due to the complex spelling.