What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
violator
Example
The company was fined for being a violator of environmental regulations. [violator: noun]
Example
He was caught as a violator of the terms and conditions of his contract. [violator: adjective]
offender
Example
The offender was sentenced to ten years in prison for robbery. [offender: noun]
Example
She was charged with being an offender of traffic laws. [offender: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Offender is more commonly used than violator in everyday language, especially in legal contexts. Violator is less common and is typically used in more formal or technical contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between violator and offender?
Both violator and offender are formal words that are commonly used in legal and official contexts. However, violator may be slightly more formal due to its broader scope and less frequent use in everyday language.