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
Proximity to heat sources and inconsistent humidity levels are also common culprits, as is bringing the tree inside too early.
—
Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 18 Dec. 2024
This isn’t always easy to see, but the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management offers information on identifying tracks and animal droppings, which may be helpful for figuring out potential culprits.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 Dec. 2024
The danger is not in the future but now and the likely culprits aren’t sentient machines but businesspeople who want to make more money than ever before.
—Erik Sherman, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
The persistent heat over the last two years has scientists searching for other culprits, the possible climatic sidekicks to climate change and El Niño.
—Lauren Sommer, NPR, 24 Dec. 2024
One 2016 study by the Innocence Project found that about 50% of the time, the real culprits in those crimes were later located through DNA, and had gone on to collectively commit an additional 142 violent crimes.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024
How Families Lose Wealth A Vanguard Group wealth advisor, Matt Fleming, cites a lack of communication and trust as the most prominent culprits when families fail to pass on their wealth to younger generations.
—Next Avenue, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
This guide will walk you through our best stain-removal tips for some of the usual Christmastime culprits, including candle wax, chocolate, wine, and tree sap.
—Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Dec. 2024
Poor insulation and cold temperatures are the biggest culprits for a lack of humidity in the air.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 6 Dec. 2024
Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 18 Dec. 2024
This isn’t always easy to see, but the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management offers information on identifying tracks and animal droppings, which may be helpful for figuring out potential culprits.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 Dec. 2024
The danger is not in the future but now and the likely culprits aren’t sentient machines but businesspeople who want to make more money than ever before.
—Erik Sherman, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
The persistent heat over the last two years has scientists searching for other culprits, the possible climatic sidekicks to climate change and El Niño.
—Lauren Sommer, NPR, 24 Dec. 2024
One 2016 study by the Innocence Project found that about 50% of the time, the real culprits in those crimes were later located through DNA, and had gone on to collectively commit an additional 142 violent crimes.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024
How Families Lose Wealth A Vanguard Group wealth advisor, Matt Fleming, cites a lack of communication and trust as the most prominent culprits when families fail to pass on their wealth to younger generations.
—Next Avenue, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
This guide will walk you through our best stain-removal tips for some of the usual Christmastime culprits, including candle wax, chocolate, wine, and tree sap.
—Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Dec. 2024
Poor insulation and cold temperatures are the biggest culprits for a lack of humidity in the air.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 6 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for culprits
Noun
-
Sanctuary means anyone who is the victim of a crime or witness to crime should report it to the police and fully cooperate in the investigation to arrest and prosecute the offenders without worrying that an immigration problem will be the result of coming forward.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
5 Mar. 2025
-
In particular, bail reform policies that let low-level offenders back on the streets were repeatedly blamed for the rash of crimes.—
Michael Ruiz,
Fox News,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
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But even as the ways criminals use ransomware are set to evolve, the actual makeup of the technology isn’t expected to change too drastically in the coming years.—
Ryan Browne,
CNBC,
30 Dec. 2024
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The regulation, which would require small businesses to disclose the identity of people who directly or indirectly own a control a company, is designed to prevent criminals from hiding illicit activity conducted through shell companies or opaque ownership structures, the Treasury said.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
30 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Culprits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/culprits. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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