perpetrate

[ pur-pi-treyt ]

/ ˈpɜr pɪˌtreɪt /

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See synonyms for: perpetrate / perpetrated / perpetrating / perpetrator on Thesaurus.com

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?

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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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; see pater) + -ā- thematic vowel + -tus past participle suffix; see -ate¹

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, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH perpetrate

perpetrate , perpetuate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use perpetrate in a sentence

At the same time, technology has made it easier for criminals to perpetrate these scams from abroad and to mask their identities, and reports of massive cyber-hacks now seem to barely break through the news.
A Crime Epidemic Has Cost Americans Billions. Why Aren't More People Paying Attention?|Ankush Khardori|January 27, 2021|Time
Women were overlooked by international tribunals despite their involvement in perpetrating violence because they were rarely in positions to command others.
Why It’s Important To See Women As Capable … Of Terrible Atrocities|LGBTQ-Editor|November 21, 2020|No Straight News
Many prominent Congolese human-rights activists consider minerals to be at the heart of the perpetration of atrocities.
Aaron Rodgers Takes Aim at Congo’s ‘Blood Minerals’ War|John Prendergast|December 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Of course, Lebas had no idea of the nature of his crime, or that in England was the scene of its perpetration.
Checkmate|Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu

Amid the perpetration of much bloodshed and tyranny, Christianity has certainly achieved some good.
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford
The perpetration of iniquity in the course of our daily practice, must not be confounded with the original tendency.
Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. I|Francis Augustus Cox
Nick felt Nash could never surprise him any more save by mere plain perpetration.
The Tragic Muse|Henry James
It was almost pathetic that any one could so cheerfully and irresponsibly suggest the perpetration of a crime.
A Reversible Santa Claus|Meredith Nicholson

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, noun

Word 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

perpetrate

Origin of perpetrate

OTHER WORDS FROM perpetrate

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH perpetrate

Words related to perpetrate

How to use perpetrate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for perpetrate

Derived forms of perpetrate

Word Origin for perpetrate

usage for perpetrate