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 of perpetrate
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
The group organized the takeover of the Palace of Justice in 1985, the aftermath of which led to a massacre perpetrated by the Colombian Army, which killed 100 people — including 12 ministers of the Supreme Court of Justice.
—
Roberto Andrés, The Dial, 28 May 2026
Deputy District Attorney Ross Garcia described the vicious attack, allegedly perpetrated by 32-year-old Thomas Caleb Butler.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 26 May 2026
Though the ideas of modern political Zionism long predate the Holocaust, Israel was established by the world community in response to the unimaginable atrocities and extermination perpetrated by the Nazis, who murdered one out of every three Jews on the planet.
—Michael W. Sonnenfeldt, The Atlantic, 20 May 2026
The crimes perpetrated against these victims are unspeakable.
—Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for perpetrate
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Roberto Andrés, The Dial, 28 May 2026
Deputy District Attorney Ross Garcia described the vicious attack, allegedly perpetrated by 32-year-old Thomas Caleb Butler.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 26 May 2026
Though the ideas of modern political Zionism long predate the Holocaust, Israel was established by the world community in response to the unimaginable atrocities and extermination perpetrated by the Nazis, who murdered one out of every three Jews on the planet.
—Michael W. Sonnenfeldt, The Atlantic, 20 May 2026
The crimes perpetrated against these victims are unspeakable.
—Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for perpetrate
Cite this Entry
“Perpetrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perpetrate. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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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