as in offender
a person who has committed a crime
the police caught the culprit a mere two blocks from the scene of the crime
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Recent Examples of culprit
Related article Americans may have to actually brace for stagflation with Trump tariffs
A surge in energy costs was the culprit behind the monthly increase, according to the report.
—
Alicia Wallace, CNN, 14 Jan. 2025
The scientists say the most likely culprit behind the mysterious pulsing is a white dwarf—a dense stellar remnant about the size of the Earth—that’s teetering precariously close to the black hole.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Jan. 2025
The role of aerosols An intriguing idea, tested using climate models, is that a swift reduction in aerosols over the past decade may be one of the culprits.
—Annalisa Bracco, The Conversation, 9 Jan. 2025
What's Next An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, but initial reports suggest an electrical malfunction as the culprit.
—Shannon McDonagh, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for culprit 
Alicia Wallace, CNN, 14 Jan. 2025
The scientists say the most likely culprit behind the mysterious pulsing is a white dwarf—a dense stellar remnant about the size of the Earth—that’s teetering precariously close to the black hole.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Jan. 2025
The role of aerosols An intriguing idea, tested using climate models, is that a swift reduction in aerosols over the past decade may be one of the culprits.
—Annalisa Bracco, The Conversation, 9 Jan. 2025
What's Next An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, but initial reports suggest an electrical malfunction as the culprit.
—Shannon McDonagh, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for culprit
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Cite this Entry
“Culprit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/culprit. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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