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

Its point was not that evil is banal, but rather that those who perpetrate it are. — Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2026

After undergoing examinations for her physical safety, the young woman was arrested on accusations of perpetrating crime against public health, per El Mundo. — Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026

Flanagan isn’t quite happy with the bucket drop, perpetrated by Carrie’s chief bully Chris Hargensen (Alison Thornton). — Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2026

Another alleged target, David Do, said a former LASD deputy harassed and followed him at Iza’s direction, at one point perpetrating an assault in an attempt to steal a laptop Iza believed had $300 million in crypto on it. — Jesse Hyde, Rolling Stone, 10 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