What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
culprit
Example
The police are still searching for the culprit of the robbery. [culprit: noun]
Example
The culprit behind the company's financial losses was identified as the CEO. [culprit: noun]
perpetrator
Example
The perpetrator of the vandalism was caught on camera. [perpetrator: noun]
Example
The perpetrator of the cyber attack was traced back to a foreign country. [perpetrator: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Culprit is more commonly used than perpetrator in everyday language and covers a wider range of contexts. Perpetrator is more specific and often used in legal or criminal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between culprit and perpetrator?
Perpetrator is more formal than culprit and is often used in legal or official documents. Culprit is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
