noun

perpetrator

PER-puh-tray-ter/ˈpɜːrpətreɪtər/

A person who commits a crime or harmful act.

The perpetrator smashes the parked car's window with a crowbar.

A man caught in the act of smashing a parked car's side window with a crowbar, clearly showing the person directly committing the harmful act.

Etymology

perLatincompletely

+petrLatincarry out

+atorLatinperson who acts

The pieces describe someone who carries an act through to completion, without originally judging it good or bad. Early English use in statutes helped give the word its usual criminal sense.

In context

KSL News Utah5:42

… if the perpetrator is convicted of the crime …

COURT: Kouri Richins' children statements read during sentencing

More examples

The witness recognized the perpetrator in a photograph.
The perpetrators of the fraud face criminal charges.
The perpetrator of the cruel prank refuses to apologize.

Forms

perpetrator · perpetrators

perpetrate verb — To commit a crime or harmful act.

perpetration noun — The committing of a crime or wrongdoing.

Similar words

offender: Emphasizes breaking a law or rule, including minor violations.
culprit: Can identify whoever caused a problem, even without criminal wrongdoing.