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

After all, the vast majority of domestic extremist attacks have been perpetrated by individuals professing right-wing ideologies.

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In a statement, the embassy said: "That such an act of violence should be perpetrated on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, in a place of prayer and community, is abhorrent and deeply distressing."

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"Defendants who perpetrate violations of the Mann Act involving such violence and fear regularly face significant penalties," prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memo.

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They described his body as "riddled" with bullets in a post on X, calling it a "state crime, perpetrated under the orders of Daniel Noboa."

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The president also said that climate change was “the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world, in my opinion.”

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Related Words

• carry out 
• commit 
• execute 
• inflict 
• wreak