perpetrate

American  

[pur-pi-treyt] / ˈpɜr pɪˌtreɪt /

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?

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perpetrate British  

/ ˈpɜːpɪˌtreɪt /

verb

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

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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

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

Etymology

Origin of perpetrate

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

Example Sentences

Chalamet's comments may have been misjudged, but his crimes are pretty low-level in comparison with some of the wrongdoing that's been perpetrated in Hollywood over the years.

From BBC

"We were there very quickly after the deed had been perpetrated," Robertson says.

From BBC

Jefferies said Friday the loan was collateralized solely by receivables purchased from First Brands Group, which perpetrated a wide-ranging and well-concealed fraud.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Attorney General’s office in Florida, where RAD is based, have said the firm was perpetrating an apparent “Ponzi scheme,” citing complaints from investors.

From Barron's

The scale of damage perpetrated by the regime is still being collectively processed.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• carry out
• commit
• execute
• inflict
• wreak