perpetrate
verb
per·pe·trate
ˈpər-pə-ˌtrāt 
perpetrated; perpetrating
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
Synonyms
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
Unfortunately this isn't always possible, due to factors such as atmospheric conditions or even intentional signal-jamming perpetrated by enemy forces.
—
Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 4 Dec. 2024
In a statement issued Wednesday, Perdue Jr. acknowledged that officials from Louisville Metro Police and the Attorney General's Office are involved in an investigation of possible fraud or theft perpetrated by a member of the Louisville Metropolitan Lodge #32.
—Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 28 Nov. 2024
Despite a roughly $200 million annual budget, the tribunal has convicted only six people of perpetrating the mass atrocities it was created to address.
—Eugene Kontorovich, The Atlantic, 27 Nov. 2024
Writer-director Benjamin Christensen — who acts in the film as both the Devil and Jesus — frames witch hunts as a mass social injustice borne out of ignorance, perpetrated in particular against the mentally ill.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for perpetrate 
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.
Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 4 Dec. 2024
In a statement issued Wednesday, Perdue Jr. acknowledged that officials from Louisville Metro Police and the Attorney General's Office are involved in an investigation of possible fraud or theft perpetrated by a member of the Louisville Metropolitan Lodge #32.
—Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 28 Nov. 2024
Despite a roughly $200 million annual budget, the tribunal has convicted only six people of perpetrating the mass atrocities it was created to address.
—Eugene Kontorovich, The Atlantic, 27 Nov. 2024
Writer-director Benjamin Christensen — who acts in the film as both the Devil and Jesus — frames witch hunts as a mass social injustice borne out of ignorance, perpetrated in particular against the mentally ill.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for perpetrate
Articles Related to perpetrate
Dictionary Entries Near perpetrate
Cite this Entry
“Perpetrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perpetrate. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
perpetrate
verb
per·pe·trate
ˈpər-pə-ˌtrāt
perpetrated; perpetrating
: to be guilty of doing : commit
Legal Definition
perpetrate
transitive verb
per·pe·trate
ˈpər-pə-ˌtrāt
perpetrated; perpetrating
: to carry out or bring about (as a crime)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share