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perjure

verb

per·​jure ˈpər-jər How to pronounce perjure (audio)
perjured; perjuring ˈpər-jə-riŋ How to pronounce perjure (audio)
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
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.
Michel also tried to end a Justice Department investigation of Low, tampered with two witnesses and perjured himself at trial, prosecutors said. Michael Kunzelman, Fortune, 22 Nov. 2025 Michel also tried to end a Justice Department investigation of Low, tampered with two witnesses and perjured himself at trial, prosecutors said. NPR, 21 Nov. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for perjure

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of perjure was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Perjure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perjure. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

perjure

verb
per·​jure ˈpər-jər How to pronounce perjure (audio)
perjured; perjuring ˈpərj-(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce perjure (audio)
: to make (oneself) guilty of perjury
perjurer
ˈpər-jər-ər
noun

Legal Definition

perjure

transitive verb
per·​jure ˈpər-jər How to pronounce perjure (audio)
perjured; perjuring
: to make a perjurer of (oneself)

More from Merriam-Webster on perjure

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