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
Christine Quinn's Husband's Request for Restraining Order Against Her Denied by Judge as Court Date Looms
A Ponzi scheme perpetrated by Hill involved creating false balance sheets and using fraudulent information to obtain loans.
—
Erin Clements, Peoplemag, 22 Apr. 2024
The killing of the seven aid workers sparked condemnation from some of Israel’s most prominent supporters and may mark a turning point in how Israel perpetrates its war in Gaza.
—Christian Edwards, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
For one thing, U.S. alliances are defensive pacts meant to prevent aggression, not perpetrate it.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 29 Mar. 2024
The current Israel-Hamas war broke out in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 attacks which were perpetrated by Hamas, the governing body of Gaza, in Southern Israel.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 28 Mar. 2024
And people who have faced violence, including children, become much more likely to perpetrate it, studies show.
—Allen Arthur, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Mar. 2024
Including allegations that the virus was deliberately engineered, believers in this theory purport that Covid-19 is a bioweapon or a hoax perpetrated for political and economic gain.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024
Gilbert has 7 cases Gilbert experienced seven cases believed to be perpetrated by South American theft groups or crime tourists.
—The Arizona Republic, 3 Feb. 2024
In the aftermath of World War II, the world witnessed the full scope of the Jewish Holocaust perpetrated by the people of Germany.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2024
Erin Clements, Peoplemag, 22 Apr. 2024
The killing of the seven aid workers sparked condemnation from some of Israel’s most prominent supporters and may mark a turning point in how Israel perpetrates its war in Gaza.
—Christian Edwards, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
For one thing, U.S. alliances are defensive pacts meant to prevent aggression, not perpetrate it.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 29 Mar. 2024
The current Israel-Hamas war broke out in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 attacks which were perpetrated by Hamas, the governing body of Gaza, in Southern Israel.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 28 Mar. 2024
And people who have faced violence, including children, become much more likely to perpetrate it, studies show.
—Allen Arthur, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Mar. 2024
Including allegations that the virus was deliberately engineered, believers in this theory purport that Covid-19 is a bioweapon or a hoax perpetrated for political and economic gain.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024
Gilbert has 7 cases Gilbert experienced seven cases believed to be perpetrated by South American theft groups or crime tourists.
—The Arizona Republic, 3 Feb. 2024
In the aftermath of World War II, the world witnessed the full scope of the Jewish Holocaust perpetrated by the people of Germany.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'perpetrate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Perpetrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perpetrate. Accessed 28 Apr. 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)
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