perpetuate

verb

per·​pet·​u·​ate pər-ˈpe-chə-ˌwāt How to pronounce perpetuate (audio)
perpetuated; perpetuating

transitive verb

: to make perpetual or cause to last indefinitely
perpetuate the species
perpetuation noun
perpetuator noun

Example Sentences

He perpetuates the myth that his house is haunted. Fears about an epidemic are being perpetuated by the media.
Recent Examples on the Web Social media can perpetuate feelings of body dissatisfaction, especially among adolescent girls. Teddy Amenabar, Washington Post, 24 May 2023 To talk about struggles can be even more taboo in these places, and the dream-life exterior can perpetuate mental health issues because folks living there don’t want to seem ungrateful or admit their anguish. Amelia Arvesen, Women's Health, 17 May 2023 Overanalyzing a bond perpetuates distance as the moon and Venus clash! USA TODAY, 8 May 2023 By suggesting mental illness is linked to mass shootings, Kelly was perpetuating a myth that’s been disproven in several scientific studies. Mark Joyella, Forbes, 7 May 2023 While California entered the union as a free state, the reparations board has argued that the state has perpetuated the racist legacy of slavery that helped to marginalize Black communities. Justin Klawans, The Week, 6 May 2023 Combating discriminatory practices: Ensuring AI systems don't perpetuate or amplify biases and discrimination, which can lead to unfair treatment in areas like employment, housing, or access to essential services. Benj Edwards, Ars Technica, 3 May 2023 Seeing legislation, any legislation that targets a vulnerable population is upsetting to me, and seeing people in positions of power push forward things that are really perpetuated out of a place of fear and hate is really upsetting. Tori Otten, The New Republic, 1 May 2023 Advocates say transgender people have historically and falsely been categorized as violent or dangerous – perpetuating anti-transgender sentiment and further ostracizing a vulnerable and small population. Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'perpetuate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin perpetuatus, past participle of perpetuare, from perpetuus

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of perpetuate was in 1530

Dictionary Entries Near perpetuate

Cite this Entry

“Perpetuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perpetuate. Accessed 3 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

perpetuate

verb
per·​pet·​u·​ate pər-ˈpech-ə-ˌwāt How to pronounce perpetuate (audio)
perpetuated; perpetuating
: to make perpetual or cause to last indefinitely
perpetuation noun
perpetuator noun

Legal Definition

perpetuate

transitive verb
per·​pet·​u·​ate pər-ˈpe-chə-ˌwāt How to pronounce perpetuate (audio)
perpetuated; perpetuating
: to preserve or make available (testimony) for later use at a trial by means of deposition especially when the evidence so gathered would be otherwise unavailable or lost

Note: Courts will not allow the perpetuation of testimony at a pretrial proceeding if it appears to be an attempt to fish for useful material.

perpetuation noun

More from Merriam-Webster on perpetuate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!