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
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
According to the Foreign Policy Research Institute, violence perpetrated by dozens of armed groups in the eastern DRC has cost more than 6 million lives since 1996.
—
Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 27 June 2025
While many of the crimes perpetrated by Putin and his troops are already being investigated and prosecuted, whether by domestic or international tribunals, the crime of aggression is yet to be addressed with comprehensive responses.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Amid the film’s promotion, there was also a flurry of excitement surrounding Zegler’s support for Palestine and Gaza amid what leading human rights organizations deem genocide perpetrated by Israel, which reportedly did not go over well with the film’s producer Marc Platt.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 23 June 2025
Weymouth highlights specific wolves that perpetrated reigns of terror, such as the Beast of Gévaudan, an animal (or animals) that killed 113 people and wounded an additional 49 in southern France in the 1700s.
—Jonathan C. Slaght, The Atlantic, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for perpetrate
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Shannon K. Kingston, ABC News, 27 June 2025
While many of the crimes perpetrated by Putin and his troops are already being investigated and prosecuted, whether by domestic or international tribunals, the crime of aggression is yet to be addressed with comprehensive responses.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Amid the film’s promotion, there was also a flurry of excitement surrounding Zegler’s support for Palestine and Gaza amid what leading human rights organizations deem genocide perpetrated by Israel, which reportedly did not go over well with the film’s producer Marc Platt.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 23 June 2025
Weymouth highlights specific wolves that perpetrated reigns of terror, such as the Beast of Gévaudan, an animal (or animals) that killed 113 people and wounded an additional 49 in southern France in the 1700s.
—Jonathan C. Slaght, The Atlantic, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for perpetrate
Cite this Entry
“Perpetrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perpetrate. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
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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