perpetrate

verb

per·​pe·​trate ˈpər-pə-ˌtrāt 

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

ˌpər-pə-ˈtrā-shən 

noun

perpetrator

ˈpər-pə-ˌtrā-tər 

noun

Synonyms

• accomplish
• achieve
• bring off
• carry off
• carry out
• commit
• compass
• do
• execute
• follow through (with)
• fulfill
• fulfil
• make
• negotiate
• perform
• prosecute
• pull off
• put through

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

Trending on Billboard In the wake of the accusations, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department opened a criminal investigation into reports of domestic violence perpetrated by Manson between 2009 and 2011. —Chris Eggertsen, Billboard, 16 May 2024

With the deaths of more than 34,000 people in Gaza, and no end in sight, Amnesty International and other human rights groups have found evidence of war crimes perpetrated by the Israeli government, including collective punishment, indiscriminate attacks, and direct attacks on civilian objects. —Letter Writers, Twin Cities, 12 May 2024

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

Kids Definition

perpetrate

verb

per·​pe·​trate ˈpər-pə-ˌtrāt 

perpetrated; perpetrating

: to be guilty of doing : commit

perpetration

ˌpər-pə-ˈtrā-shən 

noun

perpetrator

ˈpər-pə-ˌtrāt-ər 

noun

Legal Definition

perpetrate

transitive verb

per·​pe·​trate ˈpər-pə-ˌtrāt 

perpetrated; perpetrating

: to carry out or bring about (as a crime)

perpetration

ˌpər-pə-ˈtrā-shən 

noun

perpetrator

ˈpər-pə-ˌtrā-tər 

noun