perpetrator
UK: /ˈpɜː.pə.treɪ.tər/ | US: /ˈpɜːr.pə.treɪ.tər/
n. a person who commits a harmful, illegal, or immoral act
n. one who carries out or is responsible for a crime or wrongdoing
The word "perpetrator" traces back to Latin perpetrare, combining per- (thoroughly) and patrare (to achieve). The suffix -tor was added to form an agent noun, originally neutral ("one who accomplishes") but later specializing in negative contexts ("one who commits a crime"). This shift reflects societal focus on labeling harmful actions.
The police are still searching for the perpetrator of the robbery.
The perpetrator confessed to the crime after being confronted with evidence.
Victims often struggle to identify their perpetrators in court.
The documentary exposed the perpetrator’s motives behind the fraud.
Legal systems aim to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.