perpetrate
verb
per·pe·trate
ˈpər-pə-ˌtrāt 
perpetrated; perpetrating
1
: to bring about or carry out (something, such as a crime or deception) : commit
2
: to produce, perform, or execute (something likened to a crime)
perpetrate a pun
Examples of perpetrate in a Sentence
The men were planning to perpetrate a robbery.
The attack was perpetrated by a street gang.
He vowed revenge for the crime perpetrated on his family.
Recent Examples on the Web
According to theory, words referred not to the world they were tasked with representing but only to other words in a ruthless system where meaning was elusive, reality an illusion and the self a romantic fiction perpetrated by the capitalist bourgeoisie.
—
Emily Eakin, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025
The prolific musician meant the act as a protest of child abuse both perpetrated and covered up by the Catholic Church in Ireland, a scandal the church eventually admitted to, but the backlash was swift and intense.
—EW.com, 17 Feb. 2025
These are real attacks that could work, perpetrated by true believers (like Vice President J.D. Vance) who genuinely think the president should rule like a king.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, has gained momentum after capitalizing on growing anti-immigration sentiment among some voters – following a string of deadly attacks allegedly perpetrated by migrants last winter.
—Sebastian Shukla, CNN, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perpetrate
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Emily Eakin, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025
The prolific musician meant the act as a protest of child abuse both perpetrated and covered up by the Catholic Church in Ireland, a scandal the church eventually admitted to, but the backlash was swift and intense.
—EW.com, 17 Feb. 2025
These are real attacks that could work, perpetrated by true believers (like Vice President J.D. Vance) who genuinely think the president should rule like a king.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, has gained momentum after capitalizing on growing anti-immigration sentiment among some voters – following a string of deadly attacks allegedly perpetrated by migrants last winter.
—Sebastian Shukla, CNN, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perpetrate
Articles Related to perpetrate
Cite this Entry
“Perpetrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perpetrate. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
perpetrate
verb
per·pe·trate
ˈpər-pə-ˌtrāt
perpetrated; perpetrating
: to be guilty of doing : commit
Legal Definition
perpetrate
transitive verb
per·pe·trate
ˈpər-pə-ˌtrāt
perpetrated; perpetrating
: to carry out or bring about (as a crime)
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