perpetrate

[pur-pi-treyt]

verb (used with object)

perpetrated, perpetrating 

1. to commit.

   to perpetrate a crime.

2. to present, execute, or do in a poor or tasteless manner.

   Who perpetrated this so-called comedy?

perpetrate

/ ˈpɜːpɪˌtreɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to perform or be responsible for (a deception, crime, etc)

Usage

Perpetrate and perpetuate are sometimes confused: he must answer for the crimes he has perpetrated (not perpetuated ); the book helped to perpetuate (not perpetrate ) some of the myths surrounding his early life

Other Word Forms

• perpetrable adjective
• perpetration noun
• perpetrator noun
• nonperpetration noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of perpetrate¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin perpetrātus (past participle of perpetrāre “to carry out, execute, perform”), equivalent to per- per- + -petr- (combining form of patrāre “to father, bring abou”t; pater ) + -ā- thematic vowel + -tus past participle suffix; -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of perpetrate¹

C16: from Latin perpetrāre, from per- (thoroughly) + patrāre to perform, perhaps from pater father, leader in the performance of sacred rites

Example Sentences

On Friday, media regulator Roskomnadzor announced it was considering fully banning WhatsApp, accusing it of being a vessel to perpetrate "crime".

Read more on Barron's

He said that Mr Lynch had "not only perpetrated an enormous fraud, but lied about it at every stage".

Read more on BBC

Members of the groups are also suspected to be behind attacks perpetrated earlier this year on Marks & Spencer and other U.K. retailers, including posh department store Harrods.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He sees it as just fine for men who are white or rich or otherwise “deserve” it, but criminal if men he perceives as having lower status perpetrate it.

Read more on Salon

"The country has witnessed a heinous terror incident, perpetrated by anti-national forces, through a car explosion near the Red Fort", a cabinet statement read, after a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• carry out 
• commit 
• execute 
• inflict 
• wreak