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
Danielson is not accused of being involved in any of these crimes, but their photograph — a mugshot taken after they were arrested during a nonviolent protest in 2019 — was published in stories about the string of murders, where they were linked to the group that perpetrated them. —
Tessa Stuart, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2026 Opponents say bill makes women less safe Instances of trans people perpetrating violence in public bathrooms, locker rooms and dorm rooms are exceedingly rare. —Jack Harvel april 20, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2026 Anyone with 25% of their brain functioning could see this was police brutality and these thugs are a menace perpetrated on society. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026 Research shows that in about 3 in 5 cases of murder-suicide perpetrated by men with a firearm, family court is somehow involved. —Kathryn Spearman, The Conversation, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for perpetrate
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Tessa Stuart, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2026 Opponents say bill makes women less safe Instances of trans people perpetrating violence in public bathrooms, locker rooms and dorm rooms are exceedingly rare. —Jack Harvel april 20, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2026 Anyone with 25% of their brain functioning could see this was police brutality and these thugs are a menace perpetrated on society. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026 Research shows that in about 3 in 5 cases of murder-suicide perpetrated by men with a firearm, family court is somehow involved. —Kathryn Spearman, The Conversation, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for perpetrate
Cite this Entry
“Perpetrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/perpetrate. Accessed 27 Apr. 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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