Difference between Perpetrator and Culprit

What is the difference between Perpetrator and Culprit?

Perpetrator as a noun is one who perpetrates; esp., one who commits an offence or crime. while Culprit as a noun is the person or thing at fault for a problem or crime.

Perpetrator

Part of speech: noun

Definition: One who perpetrates; esp., one who commits an offence or crime.

Example sentence: The claim that too many criminals are being jailed, that there is over-incarceration, ignores an unfortunate fact: For the vast majority of crimes, a perpetrator is never identified or arrested, let alone prosecuted, convicted and jailed.

Culprit

Part of speech: noun

Definition: The person or thing at fault for a problem or crime.

Example sentence: While 'Visitation Street' has the markings of a traditional whodunnit mystery - starting with a missing girl, intrigue and many suspicious characters - Pochoda shows her hand early on by fingering a culprit. The book turns, then, into a 'whydunnit.'

We hope you now know whether to use Perpetrator or Culprit in your sentence.

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