as in offenders
a person who has committed a crime
the police caught the culprit a mere two blocks from the scene of the crime
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of culprits
The reasons for price hikes are many, but fluctuating natural gas prices and the costs of maintaining adequate transmission capacity are among the obvious culprits, to say nothing of increasing demand.
—
Yaël Ossowski, Boston Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Local officials said the culprits broke into the Hôtel du Breuil-de-Saint-Germain, which houses the small museum, and forced their way into the building before making off with the historical coins.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
The illicit, years-long gambling scheme, per the Feds, involved the culprits trading non-public information only known in NBA circles to rake in millions of dollars.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
Salah and Isak have been the biggest culprits, whereas Gakpo and Hugo Ekitike have scored two of three apiece, and Federico Chiesa has scored one of two.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
French authorities are still searching for the culprits who stole millions of dollars' worth of jewels from the Louvre on Sunday.
—NPR, 21 Oct. 2025
Investigators say they are puzzled why the culprits left behind the colossal, 140-carat Regent diamond, which has been valued at $60 million.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2025
The main culprits are well known – speeding, alcohol, distracted driving, and the simple failure to wear a seatbelt.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
Other likely culprits include armadillos or birds, says Waltz.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2025
Yaël Ossowski, Boston Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Local officials said the culprits broke into the Hôtel du Breuil-de-Saint-Germain, which houses the small museum, and forced their way into the building before making off with the historical coins.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
The illicit, years-long gambling scheme, per the Feds, involved the culprits trading non-public information only known in NBA circles to rake in millions of dollars.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
Salah and Isak have been the biggest culprits, whereas Gakpo and Hugo Ekitike have scored two of three apiece, and Federico Chiesa has scored one of two.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
French authorities are still searching for the culprits who stole millions of dollars' worth of jewels from the Louvre on Sunday.
—NPR, 21 Oct. 2025
Investigators say they are puzzled why the culprits left behind the colossal, 140-carat Regent diamond, which has been valued at $60 million.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2025
The main culprits are well known – speeding, alcohol, distracted driving, and the simple failure to wear a seatbelt.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
Other likely culprits include armadillos or birds, says Waltz.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for culprits
Noun
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All colors change under different lights, but white is one of the biggest offenders due to its highly reflective quality.—
Sophie Flaxman,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Oct. 2025
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This approach will ensure that this tool is aimed at giving the worst offenders a financial incentive to operate by the same set of rules as the rest of us.—
Wes Burdine,
Twin Cities,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
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To suggest that another candidate’s supporters are criminals — particularly when that candidate is, by all measures, poised to win at least a plurality of votes in the city — does not seem like a recipe for earning New Yorkers’ support.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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Binance also lacked protocols — standard for financial services companies — to report transactions for money laundering risks, according to the Justice Department, and employees were well aware that such an oversight would invite criminals to the platform.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Culprits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/culprits. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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