perpetrate

verb

per·​pe·​trate ˈpər-pə-ˌtrāt How to pronounce perpetrate (audio)
perpetrated; perpetrating

transitive verb

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
perpetration noun
perpetrator noun

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
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.
Personal information of 37 million people was compromised in the data breach which was perpetrated on Sept. 9, 2023 and was discovered by MGM the next day. Steve Weisman, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025 Park's open letter was published in various outlets in the spring of 1997, connecting the Friends incident to larger abuses perpetrated against Asian Americans and other people of color working in the entertainment industry. Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 4 Mar. 2025 There is only one gun store in the entire country of Mexico, yet America's southern neighbor is awash in violent crimes perpetrated with millions of firearms made in the United States. Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 4 Mar. 2025 The bureau also participates in the Veteran Scam and Fraud Evasion Task Force, which then-President Joe Biden launched in 2023 to crack down on fraud and scams perpetrated against veterans, service members and their families. Melissa Chan, NBC News, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for perpetrate

Word History

Etymology

Latin perpetratus, past participle of perpetrare, from per- through + patrare to accomplish, from pater father — more at father

First Known Use

1537, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of perpetrate was in 1537

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Perpetrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perpetrate. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

perpetrate

verb
per·​pe·​trate ˈpər-pə-ˌtrāt How to pronounce perpetrate (audio)
perpetrated; perpetrating
: to be guilty of doing : commit
perpetration noun
perpetrator noun

Legal Definition

perpetrate

transitive verb
per·​pe·​trate ˈpər-pə-ˌtrāt How to pronounce perpetrate (audio)
perpetrated; perpetrating
: to carry out or bring about (as a crime)
perpetration noun
perpetrator noun

More from Merriam-Webster on perpetrate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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