perpetrate
verb
per·pe·trate
ˈpər-pə-ˌtrāt 
perpetrated; perpetrating
1
: to bring about or carry out (something, such as a crime or deception) : commit
2
: to produce, perform, or execute (something likened to a crime)
perpetrate a pun
Synonyms of perpetrate
Examples of perpetrate in a Sentence
The men were planning to perpetrate a robbery.
The attack was perpetrated by a street gang.
He vowed revenge for the crime perpetrated on his family.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Associated Press has identified something like 125 acts in Europe perpetrated by Russia as part of a hybrid war campaign.
—
Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026
Just over 6% of online scams perpetrated nationwide are against Floridians, the Consumer Federation of America found.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
Attacks have been almost exclusively perpetrated by Islamists.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 13 Mar. 2026
Funston was granted parole after serving 27 years of a triple life sentence given to him for 16 crimes, including kidnapping and molestation, perpetrated against seven young children in 1995.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for perpetrate
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026
Just over 6% of online scams perpetrated nationwide are against Floridians, the Consumer Federation of America found.
—Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
Attacks have been almost exclusively perpetrated by Islamists.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 13 Mar. 2026
Funston was granted parole after serving 27 years of a triple life sentence given to him for 16 crimes, including kidnapping and molestation, perpetrated against seven young children in 1995.
—Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for perpetrate
Cite this Entry
“Perpetrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perpetrate. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
perpetrate
verb
per·pe·trate
ˈpər-pə-ˌtrāt
perpetrated; perpetrating
: to be guilty of doing : commit
Legal Definition
perpetrate
transitive verb
per·pe·trate
ˈpər-pə-ˌtrāt
perpetrated; perpetrating
: to carry out or bring about (as a crime)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
