perpetrate

1 of 2

verb

per·​pe·​trate ˈpər-pə-ˌtrāt 

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

perpetration

ˌpər-pə-ˈtrā-shən 

noun

perpetrator

ˈpər-pə-ˌtrā-tər 

noun

perpetrator

2 of 2

noun

per·​pe·​tra·​tor

-ātə-

plural -s

: one that perpetrates especially an offense or crime

war is a crime, for which its instigators and perpetrators can be tried

—Vera M. Dean

Synonyms of perpetrate

Verb

• perform
• accomplish
• execute
• fulfill
• achieve
• do
• make
• implement
• commit
• prosecute

Examples of perpetrate in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

Kaleka, who co-wrote a book with a former white supremacist about his own journey of forgiveness after the Sikh temple shooting, said the young men who perpetrate these attacks don’t pop up suddenly. — ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026

All too often these assaults are perpetrated on people who are intoxicated. — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026

That is because voter fraud has most often been perpetrated by a close family member of the person whose ballot is being cast illegally — spouses, parents and children generally know or have access to their family member’s Social Security numbers. — The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 7 Oct. 2026

Netanyahu then got to the heart of the lies perpetrated against the only democracy in the region. — Cal Thomas, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin perpetratus, past participle of perpetrare, from per- through + patrare to accomplish, from pater father — more at father

Noun

Late Latin, from Latin perpetratus + or

First Known Use

Verb

1537, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for perpetrate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids Definition

perpetrate

verb

per·​pe·​trate ˈpər-pə-ˌtrāt 

perpetrated; perpetrating

: to be guilty of doing : commit

perpetration

ˌpər-pə-ˈtrā-shən 

noun

perpetrator

ˈpər-pə-ˌtrāt-ər 

noun

Legal Definition

perpetrate

transitive verb

per·​pe·​trate ˈpər-pə-ˌtrāt 

perpetrated; perpetrating

: to carry out or bring about (as a crime)

perpetration

ˌpər-pə-ˈtrā-shən 

noun

perpetrator

ˈpər-pə-ˌtrā-tər 

noun