perp

1 of 2

noun

plural perps
: a perpetrator especially of a crime see also perp walk

perp

2 of 2

abbreviation

Examples of perp in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
She was expected to survive the shooting as the perp remained at large. Shant Shahrigian, New York Daily News, 11 June 2024 Many of them keep an eye out for criminal proceedings where the perp used your data. PCMAG, 15 May 2024 At one point, Pomerantz even entertained the idea of treating Cohen and Trump’s payment to Daniels as an act of extortion by the adult-film actress—a way of painting Trump as both victim and perp in the same case. Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2024 Evelyn wants to understand how this perp, who uses a wheelchair, arrived at this moment in his life. Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for perp 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1968, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of perp was in 1968

Dictionary Entries Near perp

Cite this Entry

“Perp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perp. Accessed 17 Nov. 2024.

Legal Definition

perp

noun
: a perpetrator of a crime

More from Merriam-Webster on perp

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