This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
perpetrate
[ pur-pi-treyt ]
/ ˈpɜr pɪˌtreɪt /
Save This Word!
This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
verb (used with object), per·pe·trat·ed, per·pe·trat·ing.
to commit: to perpetrate a crime.
to present, execute, or do in a poor or tasteless manner: Who perpetrated this so-called comedy?
QUIZ
QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!
Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.
Question 1 of 7
“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.
Origin of perpetrate
OTHER WORDS FROM perpetrate
per·pe·tra·ble [pur-pi-truh-buhl], /ˈpɜr pɪ trə bəl/, adjectiveper·pe·tra·tion [pur-pi-trey-shuhn], /ˌpɜr pɪˈtreɪ ʃən/, nounper·pe·tra·tor, nounnon·per·pe·tra·tion, nounWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH perpetrate
perpetrate , perpetuateWords nearby perpetrate
peroxysulphuric acid, perp, perpend, perpendicular, perpent, perpetrate, perpetrated, perpetrator, perpetual, perpetual adoration, perpetual calendar
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use perpetrate in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for perpetrate
perpetrate
/ (ˈpɜːpɪˌtreɪt) /
verb
(tr) to perform or be responsible for (a deception, crime, etc)
Derived forms of perpetrate
perpetration, nounperpetrator, nounWord Origin for perpetrate
C16: from Latin perpetrāre, from per- (thoroughly) + patrāre to perform, perhaps from pater father, leader in the performance of sacred rites
usage for perpetrate
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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012