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
But what changed was the missile and drone attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure in September, 2019, which were assumed to be perpetrated by, but were never formally attributed to, Iran.
—
Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2026
Like many others in his community, Awad believes the Israeli government intentionally neglects crime perpetrated against Palestinian citizens.
—Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
But many said the same about the chaos and violence being perpetrated in Minnesota today.
—State Rep. Matt Blumenthal, Hartford Courant, 12 Feb. 2026
The camp in western Ethiopia is being used to prepare fighters to join the Rapid Support Forces militia, which is accused of perpetrating a genocide against Sudan’s Black population, according to Reuters.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for perpetrate
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Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2026
Like many others in his community, Awad believes the Israeli government intentionally neglects crime perpetrated against Palestinian citizens.
—Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
But many said the same about the chaos and violence being perpetrated in Minnesota today.
—State Rep. Matt Blumenthal, Hartford Courant, 12 Feb. 2026
The camp in western Ethiopia is being used to prepare fighters to join the Rapid Support Forces militia, which is accused of perpetrating a genocide against Sudan’s Black population, according to Reuters.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 10 Feb. 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 21 Feb. 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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