English
español
française
italiano
deutsche
日本語
polski
česky
svenska
Türkçe
Nederlands
"Offender" and "culprit": different shades of guilt
Reviewed and edited by 
Lloyd Cooper 29/12/2024, 11:51
Lloyd Cooper 29/12/2024, 11:51English.me team member
What is similar?
Both "offender" and "culprit" refer to someone who has committed a wrongdoing or offense. They are used to describe individuals responsible for misdeeds, crimes, or violations, and can appear in legal or informal contexts.
What is different?
"Offender" is a general term often used in legal contexts to describe someone who has broken a law or rule, without necessarily specifying the particular act. It emphasizes the violation of laws or regulations. "Culprit" specifically refers to the person responsible for a particular offense or problem and is often used when identifying or seeking the source of that specific issue. "Culprit" can also be used metaphorically for non-human causes of problems, whereas "offender" typically refers to people.
Which one is more common?
Examples of usage
Offender- The police apprehended the offender shortly after the incident.
- First-time offenders may receive a more lenient sentence.
- Rehabilitation programs aim to help offenders reintegrate into society.
- After a thorough investigation, the culprit was identified.
- The faulty wiring was the culprit behind the blackout.
- Who's the culprit responsible for this mess?
Difference
