wrongdoer

noun

wrong·​do·​er ˈrȯŋ-ˌdü-ər How to pronounce wrongdoer (audio)
Synonyms of wrongdoernext
: one that does wrong
especially : one who transgresses moral laws

Examples of wrongdoer in a Sentence

anticorruption crusaders are going after wrongdoers at every level of the nation's government
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And when thunderclaps rattled their chests, the Chinese felt a deity punishing wrongdoers. Quanta Magazine, 6 May 2026 Greylord was a watershed in its use of eavesdropping devices and a mole to obtain evidence instead of relying on wrongdoers to become government informants. Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026 But critics of this effort say this internal mechanism fails to provide meaningful accountability and would protect wrongdoers from any future state bar investigation. Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 25 Apr. 2026 Anderson frames his argument largely in relation to the thought of thirteenth-century theologian Thomas Aquinas, who argued that Christians are generally obliged to directly confront someone who is behaving wrongly, and to do it in private to preserve the wrongdoer’s reputation. Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 26 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wrongdoer

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wrongdoer was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wrongdoer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wrongdoer. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

wrongdoer

noun
wrong·​do·​er ˈrȯŋ-ˈdü-ər How to pronounce wrongdoer (audio)
: a person who does wrong and especially moral wrong
wrongdoing
-ˈdü-iŋ
noun

Legal Definition

wrongdoer

noun
wrong·​do·​er ˈrȯŋ-ˌdü-ər How to pronounce wrongdoer (audio)
: one (as a criminal or tortfeasor) who does wrong

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