Definition of perpetrate
perpetrated
;perpetrating
transitive verb
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
Explore Merriam-Webster
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 of perpetrate from the Web
-
That struggle has existed since before Texas became a state and has ranged from mob violence and massacres — some perpetrated by the Texas Rangers — to voting and employment discrimination and school and housing segregation.
-
Trump has previously said that global warming is a hoax perpetrated by the Chinese to harm US manufacturing.
-
The Ohio attorney general is suing five drugmakers for their alleged role perpetrating the state’s addictions epidemic.
-
The shooting suspect, Willie Corey Godbolt, 35, was detained by authorities in connection with the killings perpetrated at three separate homes beginning around 11:30 p.m. Saturday, the Clarion-Ledger reported.
-
Each fresh outrage perpetrated against Strzeminski is recorded with a thudding finality.
-
Hildebrand struck up an instant rapport and friendship with Eva Mozes Kor, an inspirational Holocaust survivor who shares her memories of the horrors of Auschwitz in a bid to educate today’s generation about the evil perpetrated by the Nazi regime.
-
Trump has said climate change might be a hoax perpetrated by the Chinese.
-
Lou Perlman, the man who unleashed the boy band phenomenon on the world with his manufactured Backstreet Boys and NSYNC acts, has apparently perpetrated yet another fraud on an unsuspecting public — this time, literally rather than musically.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'perpetrate'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of perpetrate
Latin perpetratus, past participle of perpetrare, from per- through + patrare to accomplish, from pater father — more at father
First Known Use: 1537
PERPETRATE Defined for English Language Learners
perpetrate
playDefinition of perpetrate for English Language Learners
-
: to do (something that is illegal or wrong)
PERPETRATE Defined for Kids
Law Dictionary
Learn More about perpetrate
-
See words that rhyme with perpetrate Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for perpetrate Spanish Central: Translation of perpetrate Nglish: Translation of perpetrate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of perpetrate for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up perpetrate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!