perp

1 of 2

noun

plural perps
: a perpetrator especially of a crime see also perp walk

perp

2 of 2

abbreviation

Examples of perp in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Though difficult to watch, there’s an undercurrent of hope as authorities try to catch a perp who is not unlike the bogeyman, hiding in the dark and waiting for his chance to take his victims. Eric Farwell, EW.com, 13 Dec. 2023 The partners followed the case to Ohio, where Benson took her first-ever bullet to the hip in a diner and wound up in urgent care while the joint-team successfully caught their perp. Alex Ross, Peoplemag, 28 Nov. 2023 The alleged perp, a deranged man, should if guilty suffer the full force of the law. Daniel Foster, National Review, 30 Nov. 2023 Instead, the overwhelming majority of perps caught on camera in Class 57 tend to run, hide in locked trailers, slump over in an intoxicated stupor, or cooperate unhappily. Sam Russek, The New Republic, 20 Oct. 2023 Solve the situation yourself by loudly repeating what the perp is saying! Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2023 And there were potential buyers: FTX Europe’s key license—and unique ability to offer perps—is what attracted them. Leo Schwartz, Fortune Crypto, 4 Aug. 2023 Indeed, a high-profile event like a perp walk may further fuel Trump’s run for presidency. Mary Angela Bock, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2023 Yet it is noted that such perps are rarely branded as domestic terrorists, no matter how blatant their politicized intent, or brought up on Federal charges. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 10 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'perp.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1968, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of perp was in 1968

Dictionary Entries Near perp

Cite this Entry

“Perp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perp. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Legal Definition

perp

noun
: a perpetrator of a crime

More from Merriam-Webster on perp

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