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

Garcia Luna’s lawyer, Cesar de Castro, filed a motion to vacate the conviction in December, alleging several witnesses at the trial perjured themselves. —John Annese, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2024

In Twain's novella, no fewer than four local men accept bribes from Brace Dunlap to perjure themselves in order to hang saintly Uncle Silas. —arkansasonline.com, 3 Aug. 2024

Crucially, Judge Scott McAfee didn't actually conclude that Willis had perjured herself or received a material financial benefit from hiring or dating Wade. —Aysha Bagchi, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024

Listen to this article Donald Trump’s loyal longtime finance chief Allen Weisselberg headed back to Rikers Island for five months on Wednesday for perjuring himself during the New York attorney general’s civil fraud case against the ex-president. —Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2024

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

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)