perpetrate
verb
per·pe·trate ˈpər-pə-ˌtrāt 
perpetrated; perpetrating
transitive verb
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
perpetration
ˌpər-pə-ˈtrā-shən
noun perpetrator
ˈpər-pə-ˌtrā-tər
noun 
Synonyms
- accomplish
- achieve
- bring off
- carry off
- carry out
- commit
- compass
- do
- execute
- follow through (with)
- fulfill
- fulfil
- make
- negotiate
- perform
- prosecute
- pull off
- put through
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 To help perpetrate the attention, Berkowitz began leaving notes at the scenes of each shooting for detectives. 
Chris Harris, Peoplemag, 10 Aug. 2022 The collapse of Enron in 2001 spotlighted the role of its auditor Arthur Andersen, which had helped perpetrate accounting fraud at the energy giant. Matthew Goldstein, New York Times, 28 June 2022 Under current law, unmarried partners who commit domestic violence are not barred from purchasing a firearm, though spouses who perpetrate domestic violence are. Byallison Pecorin, ABC News, 16 June 2022 And with regard to that, people who perpetrate mass shootings are searching for answers, meaning in life. CBS News, 12 June 2022 Experts describe multiple types of IPV that involve different characteristics and patterns regarding how often women and men perpetrate such violence. Kellie Lynch, Chron, 23 May 2022 There’s no record of any of these registrations being used to perpetrate fraud, such as might take place if someone claimed to be an inactive or out-of-state voter and sought to cast a ballot using their name. James Brooks, Anchorage Daily News, 2 May 2022 As Putin continues to perpetrate indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian objects, no child in the country is safe. Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2022 Quite simply, face masks perpetrate real educational and emotional harm on students. Daniel Buck, National Review, 5 Feb. 2022 See More
Chris Harris, Peoplemag, 10 Aug. 2022 The collapse of Enron in 2001 spotlighted the role of its auditor Arthur Andersen, which had helped perpetrate accounting fraud at the energy giant. Matthew Goldstein, New York Times, 28 June 2022 Under current law, unmarried partners who commit domestic violence are not barred from purchasing a firearm, though spouses who perpetrate domestic violence are. Byallison Pecorin, ABC News, 16 June 2022 And with regard to that, people who perpetrate mass shootings are searching for answers, meaning in life. CBS News, 12 June 2022 Experts describe multiple types of IPV that involve different characteristics and patterns regarding how often women and men perpetrate such violence. Kellie Lynch, Chron, 23 May 2022 There’s no record of any of these registrations being used to perpetrate fraud, such as might take place if someone claimed to be an inactive or out-of-state voter and sought to cast a ballot using their name. James Brooks, Anchorage Daily News, 2 May 2022 As Putin continues to perpetrate indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian objects, no child in the country is safe. Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2022 Quite simply, face masks perpetrate real educational and emotional harm on students. Daniel Buck, National Review, 5 Feb. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Latin perpetratus, past participle of perpetrare, from per- through + patrare to accomplish, from pater father — more at father
First Known Use
1537, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
perpetrate
verb
per·pe·trate ˈpər-pə-ˌtrāt
perpetrated; perpetrating
: to bring about or carry out : commit
Thieves perpetrated the crime.
Legal Definition
perpetrate
transitive verb
per·pe·trate ˈpər-pə-ˌtrāt
perpetrated; perpetrating
: to carry out or bring about (as a crime)
perpetrating
verb
as in performing
to carry through (as a process) to completion the anonymity of the Web allows pranksters to perpetrate their hoaxes with impunity Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- performing
- executing
- accomplishing
- fulfilling
- doing
- achieving
- making
- implementing
- committing
- prosecuting
- negotiating
- carrying out
- completing
- realizing
- pulling off
- compassing
- carrying off
- putting through
- effecting
- going through
- finishing
- practicing
- effectuating
- bringing off
- attaining
- following through (with)
- repeating
- reenacting
- bringing about
- acing
- actualizing
- nailing
- practising
- ending
- reduplicating
- engaging (in)
- winding up
- working (at)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- failing
- slighting
- slurring
- skimping