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malefactor Definition

mal·efac·tor (mal′ə fak′tər)

noun

an evildoer or criminal

Etymology: L < pp. of malefacere < male, evil (see mal-) + facere, to do

malefactor Synonyms

malefactor

n.

criminal, evildoer, wrongdoer, transgressor, convict, villain, rascal, scoundrel, hellhound, wretch, jailbird, culprit, delinquent, outlaw, felon, murderer, scamp, scapegrace, outcast, vagabond, varlet, rapscallion, rogue, ruffian, black sheep, hoodlum, sinner, larrikin (Australian), tough*, rough*, rowdy*, rounder*, bad egg*, holy terror*, thug*, bum*, gorilla*; see also criminal.

malefactor Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • follow: Yesterday the five following malefactors were executed at Tyburn, viz.
  • punish: He punished malefactors by coating them with lead and roasting them over a fire.
  • condemn: I visited the condemned malefactors in Newgate, and was locked in by the turnkey, not with them, but in the yard.
  • identify: Bakan brings a degree of precision without identifying individual malefactors.

Adjective modifier

  • other: And the said William was a leader of other malefactors ' .
  • poor: God put it into our hearts to pray for the poor malefactors, passing to execution: and his Spirit made intercession.
malefactor Quotes

A man may be capable, as Jack Ketch's wife said of his servant, of a plain piece of work, a bare hanging; but to makea malefactordiesweetly was only belonging toher husband.

—Dryden,John