Culprit

A culprit is an individual or entity that is responsible for committing an offense or crime, particularly in a legal context. The term can apply to someone who has been formally accused or is suspected of wrongdoing, and it often carries connotations of guilt or accountability in a situation where harm or injustice has occurred.

Culprit meaning with examples

• After days of investigation, the police finally arrested the culprit behind the recent spate of burglaries in the neighborhood, much to the relief of the residents who felt unsafe in their own homes.
• In the courtroom, the attorney dramatically pointed to the defendant, proclaiming him to be the culprit responsible for the embezzlement of funds, which had devastated the company's finances and harmed countless employees.
• A monitor was installed in the cafeteria to deter potential culprits who might engage in food theft. The school hoped this would discourage any wrongful behavior among students looking to cheat their peers.
• The detective was determined to find the true culprit behind the series of arsons that had plagued the small town, believing that uncovering the motive would be key to solving the case and restoring peace.
• During the town hall meeting, community members expressed their frustration about the lack of transparency from the police regarding the investigation of the local vandalism, demanding to know who the culprit was and what actions were being taken.