wrongdoers
Those who transgress
Wrongdoers are people who do wrong—those who commit crimes, sins, or other immoral acts.
The word carries a tone of moral judgment rather than legal precision: The wrongdoers will be punished.
It appears often in religious and ethical contexts, where the focus is on transgression against moral law rather than specific offenses.
Serious crime offenders
- convictsImprisoned felons
- thievesThose who commit larceny
- burglarsThose who illegally enter
- robbersThose who steal forcibly
fraudsters · embezzlers · arsonists · assailants · muggers · pickpockets · shoplifters · vandals
Contrary to ethical principles
- unprincipledLacking moral standards
- dishonestInclined to deceive
- unscrupulousLacking moral principles
- deceptiveCreating false impressions
dishonorable · underhanded · crooked · shady · corrupt · cheaters · liars · deceivers
Harboring ill will
- vindictiveSeeking harm from resentment
- spitefulWanting to hurt others
- maliciousMeaning to do harm
- wickedEvil or slang-excellent
cruel · vicious · hostile · nefarious · scheming · predatory · calculating · remorseless
Remorseful rejection of past wrongs
- guiltMoral self-reproach
- redemptionRecovery or moral restoration
- atonementCompensation for wrongdoing
- transgressionViolation of law or code
immorality · wickedness · penitence · iniquity · temptation · fallen · salvation · contrition
Armed robbers, often roving
- brigandsRoving armed robbers
- highwaymenArmed roadside robbers
- renegadesTraitors to a cause
- desperadosReckless criminal fugitives
rustlers · outlaws · raiders · pirates · bootleggers · buccaneers · rebels · marauders
Corrupt payment for influence
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- graftIllicit political gain
- kickbacksIllegal return payments
- nepotismPreferring kin in hiring
cronyism · extortion · racketeering · money laundering · profiteering · insider trading · tax evasion · fraudulence
felons
Serious crime offenders
robbers · fraudsters · embezzlers · arsonists · assailants · muggers · pickpockets · shoplifters · vandals · poachers
immoral
Contrary to ethical principles
- unprincipledLacking moral standards
- dishonestInclined to deceive
- unscrupulousLacking moral principles
deceptive · dishonorable · underhanded · crooked · shady · corrupt · cheaters · liars · deceivers · manipulators
malevolent
Harboring ill will
- vindictiveSeeking harm from resentment
- spitefulWanting to hurt others
- maliciousMeaning to do harm
wicked · cruel · vicious · hostile · nefarious · scheming · predatory · calculating · remorseless · heartless
repentance
Remorseful rejection of past wrongs
- guiltMoral self-reproach
- redemptionRecovery or moral restoration
- atonementCompensation for wrongdoing
transgression · immorality · wickedness · penitence · iniquity · temptation · fallen · salvation · contrition · sin
bandits
Armed robbers, often roving
- brigandsRoving armed robbers
- highwaymenArmed roadside robbers
- renegadesTraitors to a cause
desperados · rustlers · outlaws · raiders · pirates · bootleggers · buccaneers · rebels · marauders · plunderers
bribery
Corrupt payment for influence
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- graftIllicit political gain
- kickbacksIllegal return payments
nepotism · cronyism · extortion · racketeering · money laundering · profiteering · insider trading · tax evasion · fraudulence · swindle
wrongdoersvictims
Those who suffer harm
rescuers · protectors · benefactors · helpers · healers