View synonyms for perpetrate

perpetrate

[ pur-pi-treyt ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

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?

perpetrate

/ ˈpɜːpɪˌtreɪt /

verb

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

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Derived Forms

ˌperpeˈtration, noun
ˈperpeˌtrator, noun

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Other Words From

per·pe·tra·ble [pur, -pi-tr, uh, -b, uh, l], adjective
per·pe·tra·tion [pur-pi-, trey, -sh, uh, n], noun
per·pe·tra·tor noun
non·per·pe·tra·tion noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of perpetrate¹

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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of perpetrate¹

C16: from Latin perpetrāre, from per- (thoroughly) + patrāre to perform, perhaps from pater father, leader in the performance of sacred rites

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Example Sentences

As in Nazi Germany, it is usually governments driven by greed or power calculations that perpetrate such crimes.

From The Daily Beast

If the auctioneer could afterward do this he might change the name, substitute another, and so perpetrate a fraud.

From Project Gutenberg

The evils forbidden therein none should perpetrate, either on others or on himself.

From Project Gutenberg

It is notorious that a mob will commit atrocities which a single individual could scarcely be tempted to perpetrate.

From Project Gutenberg

Occasionally they are joined by Indians, and these latter are always conspicuous for the cruelties they perpetrate.

From Project Gutenberg

But surely Christianity should not be condemned for what it forbids men to perpetrate under pain of the Divine displeasure.

From Project Gutenberg

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