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
Synonyms
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
Election denialism had started sweeping across the country following the 2020 presidential election, based on lies perpetrated by many but ultimately instigated by the uncontested loser of that election, Trump.
—
Richard Behar, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
As Clavin describes, the violence of the period often was perpetrated by consortiums of big land owners intent on swallowing up their smaller competition.
—Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2024
But news of the latest charges set off a surge of anti-immigrant rhetoric, as some lawmakers in the conservative Tory party accused officials of perpetrating a cover-up.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024
Similarly to how no one advised investors to avoid stocks after Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme, the usage of crypto to perpetrate scams and frauds doesn’t mean everyone should shun crypto.
—Laura Shin, TIME, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for perpetrate 
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.
Richard Behar, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
As Clavin describes, the violence of the period often was perpetrated by consortiums of big land owners intent on swallowing up their smaller competition.
—Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2024
But news of the latest charges set off a surge of anti-immigrant rhetoric, as some lawmakers in the conservative Tory party accused officials of perpetrating a cover-up.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024
Similarly to how no one advised investors to avoid stocks after Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme, the usage of crypto to perpetrate scams and frauds doesn’t mean everyone should shun crypto.
—Laura Shin, TIME, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for perpetrate
Articles Related to perpetrate
Dictionary Entries Near perpetrate
Cite this Entry
“Perpetrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perpetrate. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share