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.
What followed was one of the largest manhunts in American history, where the two brothers who perpetrated the attack tried to evade police. Keith Langston, People.com, 28 Dec. 2024 In fact, the percentage of people who have perpetrated mass shootings who are female is in the low single digits, according to various organizations that study such incidents. John Diedrich, Journal Sentinel, 16 Dec. 2024 Investigators, including an Italian parliamentary commission, have yet to shed light on how and why the White Uno Gang pulled off some of the most heinous crimes perpetrated in post-war Italy. Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 13 Dec. 2024 Brady's analysis of data from 2018 to 2022 found 237 shootings perpetrated by children (ages 0-17) in 2018. Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near perpetrate

Cite this Entry

“Perpetrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perpetrate. Accessed 15 Jan. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!