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
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
So, to the extent that cancel culture is running amok on college campuses today, it is almost entirely perpetrated by those on the political right.
—
David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 May 2025
State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce is expected to address the shooting, which was allegedly perpetrated by Elias Rodriguez, 30, of Chicago.
—Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 22 May 2025
In many cases, Catholic leadership attempted to cover up the abuse, perpetrated against thousands of children.
—Jasmine Cui, NBC news, 14 May 2025
Threats can be violent, but the more common crime that billionaires face is fraud, which is often perpetrated by relatives, current or former employees and other personal connections.
—Monica Hunter-Hart, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for perpetrate
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David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 May 2025
State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce is expected to address the shooting, which was allegedly perpetrated by Elias Rodriguez, 30, of Chicago.
—Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 22 May 2025
In many cases, Catholic leadership attempted to cover up the abuse, perpetrated against thousands of children.
—Jasmine Cui, NBC news, 14 May 2025
Threats can be violent, but the more common crime that billionaires face is fraud, which is often perpetrated by relatives, current or former employees and other personal connections.
—Monica Hunter-Hart, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for perpetrate
Cite this Entry
“Perpetrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perpetrate. Accessed 31 May. 2025.
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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