perjure

verb

per·​jure ˈpər-jər 

perjured; perjuring ˈpər-jə-riŋ 

ˈpərj-riŋ

transitive verb

1

: to make a perjurer of (oneself)

2

dated : to cause to commit perjury

Examples of perjure in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Maxwell’s two days of interviews with Blanche, Trump’s former personal defense lawyer, have drawn criticism because the Justice Department has in the past accused Maxwell of perjuring herself to either protect herself or Epstein, her former boyfriend and longtime associate. —Zac Anderson, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025

The Guardians enter negotiations, one executive said, like a witness on the stand attempting not to perjure himself. —Andy McCullough, New York Times, 28 July 2025

In the letter to a top state pension official, Raoul’s office maintained that matters about which Mapes perjured himself were directly connected to his more than two decades as a top governmental aide to Madigan. —Ray Long, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025

Durbin’s subsequent allegation that Patel may have perjured himself before the Senate stems from an exchange Patel had with Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., during his confirmation hearing before the Judiciary panel on Jan. 30. —Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Anglo-French parjurer, perjurer, from Latin perjurare, from per- detrimentally, for the worse + jurare to swear — more at per-, jury

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing perjure

• perjure oneself

Rhymes for perjure

• merger
• verger

Kids Definition

perjure

verb

per·​jure ˈpər-jər 

perjured; perjuring ˈpərj-(ə-)riŋ 

: to make (oneself) guilty of perjury

perjurer

ˈpər-jər-ər

noun

Legal Definition

perjure

transitive verb

per·​jure ˈpər-jər 

perjured; perjuring

: to make a perjurer of (oneself)