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
per·pe·tra·tor
-ātə-
plural -s
: one that perpetrates especially an offense or crime
war is a crime, for which its instigators and perpetrators can be tried—
Vera M. Dean
Vera M. DeanSynonyms of perpetrate
Examples of perpetrate in a Sentence
Verb
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
Alan Gionet, CBS News, 11 June 2026
The Price of Forgiveness tells a 19-year-old woman’s story of surviving an honor killing attempt perpetrated by her father and uncle.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 4 June 2026
The group organized the takeover of the Palace of Justice in 1985, the aftermath of which led to a massacre perpetrated by the Colombian Army, which killed 100 people — including 12 ministers of the Supreme Court of Justice.
—Roberto Andrés, The Dial, 28 May 2026
Deputy District Attorney Ross Garcia described the vicious attack, allegedly perpetrated by 32-year-old Thomas Caleb Butler.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for perpetrate
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Verb
The worker, Ben Gilbert, and another man were later found to be perpetrating a scheme to fake a robbery.
—Alan Gionet, CBS News, 11 June 2026
The Price of Forgiveness tells a 19-year-old woman’s story of surviving an honor killing attempt perpetrated by her father and uncle.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 4 June 2026
The group organized the takeover of the Palace of Justice in 1985, the aftermath of which led to a massacre perpetrated by the Colombian Army, which killed 100 people — including 12 ministers of the Supreme Court of Justice.
—Roberto Andrés, The Dial, 28 May 2026
Deputy District Attorney Ross Garcia described the vicious attack, allegedly perpetrated by 32-year-old Thomas Caleb Butler.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 26 May 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 19 Jun. 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)
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