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
In fact, last year, a woman known to be a danger to herself and others perpetrated a shooting at Lakewood Church in Houston and two people were wounded, including her young child.
—
Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
The creation of the ICPA followed the ever-growing evidence of crimes perpetrated by Putin and his troops and the need to address the very crime that started it all - the crime of aggression when Putin launched a full-scale attack on Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
The simple truth and key to properly recognizing this sits before the Colorado legislature right now: Senate Bill 123 on Genocide against Native Americans, recognizes this most heinous crime perpetrated against our peoples.
—Phillip Whiteman Jr., The Denver Post, 23 Mar. 2025
Being a survivor of abuse is not an excuse for abusing others, but experiences of abuse may explain why these men perpetrate violence towards others.
—Essence, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perpetrate
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Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
The creation of the ICPA followed the ever-growing evidence of crimes perpetrated by Putin and his troops and the need to address the very crime that started it all - the crime of aggression when Putin launched a full-scale attack on Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
The simple truth and key to properly recognizing this sits before the Colorado legislature right now: Senate Bill 123 on Genocide against Native Americans, recognizes this most heinous crime perpetrated against our peoples.
—Phillip Whiteman Jr., The Denver Post, 23 Mar. 2025
Being a survivor of abuse is not an excuse for abusing others, but experiences of abuse may explain why these men perpetrate violence towards others.
—Essence, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for perpetrate
Cite this Entry
“Perpetrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perpetrate. Accessed 2 Apr. 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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