What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
defendant
Example
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges. [defendant: noun]
Example
The defendant's lawyer cross-examined the witness. [defendant's: possessive adjective]
culprit
Example
The police finally caught the culprit after a long investigation. [culprit: noun]
Example
The culprit behind the vandalism was identified through security footage. [culprit: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Culprit is more commonly used in everyday language than defendant. Defendant is a formal term used primarily in legal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between defendant and culprit?
Defendant is a formal term used in legal contexts, while culprit is more informal and can be used in a wider range of situations.
