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

The operation drove more than 700,000 Rohingya across the border into Bangladesh, joining hundreds of thousands of others already living there for decades in the wake of waves of previous violence perpetrated by Myanmar’s military. — ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026

Fighting back The harmful content perpetrated online echoed concerns among consumers, leading them to find avenues to protect themselves. — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026

To Ramos, the bill represents a step toward reversing the long list of historical wrongs against Native Americans, including those perpetrated by the state government. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Haq said nearly 70% of the cases in the last six months involved rape, many reportedly perpetrated by armed groups. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 July 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