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Definitions

perpetrator

[pur-pi-trey-ter] / ˈpɜr pɪˌtreɪ tər /
NOUN
manslayer
Synonyms
STRONG
assassin butcher cut-throat enforcer executioner killer murderess slaughterer slayer triggerman
WEAK
hit person manslaughterer massacrer trigger person
NOUN
massacrer
Synonyms
WEAK
assassin butcher criminal cutthroat enforcer executioner hit person hit-and-run homicide killer manslaughterer manslayer murderess slaughterer slayer trigger person triggerman
NOUN
murderer
Synonyms
STRONGEST
assassin executioner
STRONG
butcher cut-throat enforcer killer slaughterer slayer
WEAK
hit person manslaughterer trigger person
NOUN
murderess
Synonyms
STRONG
assassin butcher cut-throat enforcer executioner killer manslayer slaughterer slayer triggerman
WEAK
hit person manslaughterer massacrer trigger person
NOUN
public enemy
Synonyms
WEAK
criminal felon gangster lawbreaker malevolent outlaw public enemy number one racketeer scofflaw universal foe villain
NOUN
slaughterer
Synonyms
STRONG
assassin butcher criminal cutthroat enforcer executioner homicide killer manslayer murderess slayer triggerman
WEAK
hit person hit-and-run manslaughterer massacrer trigger person
NOUN
slayer
Synonyms
STRONG
assassin butcher criminal cutthroat enforcer executioner homicide killer manslayer murderess slaughterer triggerman
WEAK
hit person hit-and-run manslaughterer massacrer trigger person
NOUN
triggerman
Synonyms
STRONG
assassin butcher cut-throat enforcer executioner hatchet man hatchet woman hit man hit woman killer manslayer murderer murderess slaughterer slayer
WEAK
hit person manslaughterer massacrer trigger person
NOUN
wrongdoer
Synonyms
STRONGEST
crook culprit miscreant trespasser violator
STRONG
criminal felon malefactor offender sinner transgressor
Antonyms
STRONG
police
WEAK
law-abiding citizen

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Victimization doesn’t just happen because a person from a minority group is standing around, there’s almost always a perpetrator.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026

"I dare hope he is not the perpetrator of this heinous crime, because otherwise it would once again be a descent into hell, both for me and for his children."

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2026

These arguments about legal standards for asylum shouldn’t result in a child being detained, because of the level of harm, and the perpetrator of the harm in the individual’s home country.

From Slate • Feb. 2, 2026

The memorials warned that fake content was also being created "specifically to dilute historical facts, shift victim and perpetrator roles, or spread revisionist narratives".

From Barron's • Jan. 27, 2026

“So far, we have not the slightest clue as to the perpetrator of the crime.”

From "The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.