per·pet·u·ate
pər-ˈpe-chə-ˌwāt 
perpetuated; perpetuating
: to make perpetual or cause to last indefinitely
perpetuate the species
Examples of perpetuate in a Sentence
Verb
He perpetuates the myth that his house is haunted.
Fears about an epidemic are being perpetuated by the media.
Recent Examples on the Web
Andrea Manes, Oc Register, 4 June 2026
Over the last few years, Victoria’s Secret has faced a range of savvy, upstart competitors, shifting views over beauty standards and criticisms over perpetuating unrealistic stereotypes, particularly through its models.
—Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 2 June 2026
Residents unable to complete training not only limits the return on the public investment but perpetuates the physician shortage, which is projected to reach as high as 86,000 physicians by 2036.
—Vanessa Grubbs, STAT, 1 June 2026
Women who understand the ambition penalty are better equipped to name it, navigate it and build environments that don’t perpetuate it.
—Julia Korn, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for perpetuate
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Verb
The project is designed for the purpose of perpetuating local heritage and to awaken interest and develop civic pride.
—Andrea Manes, Oc Register, 4 June 2026
Over the last few years, Victoria’s Secret has faced a range of savvy, upstart competitors, shifting views over beauty standards and criticisms over perpetuating unrealistic stereotypes, particularly through its models.
—Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 2 June 2026
Residents unable to complete training not only limits the return on the public investment but perpetuates the physician shortage, which is projected to reach as high as 86,000 physicians by 2036.
—Vanessa Grubbs, STAT, 1 June 2026
Women who understand the ambition penalty are better equipped to name it, navigate it and build environments that don’t perpetuate it.
—Julia Korn, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for perpetuate
Cite this Entry
“Perpetuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perpetuate. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
perpetuate
verb
per·pet·u·ate
pər-ˈpech-ə-ˌwāt
perpetuated; perpetuating
: to make perpetual or cause to last indefinitely
Legal Definition
perpetuate
transitive verb
per·pet·u·ate
pər-ˈpe-chə-ˌwāt
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.
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