perpetrate
PURR-puh-trait
/ˈpɜːrpətreɪt/
To carry out or commit a harmful, illegal, or immoral action.
Used almost exclusively in negative contexts regarding crimes, hoaxes, or blunders.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'perpetrare', compounding 'per-' (thoroughly) and 'patrare' (to perform or execute), originally meaning to accomplish fully.
Word relationships
- commit: Commit is neutral and common; perpetrate sounds more formal and emphasizes deliberate execution.
Commonly confused with
- perpetuate: Perpetrate means to commit an act; perpetuate means to make something continue indefinitely.
Word family
- perpetrator (noun): A person who carries out a harmful or illegal act.
- perpetration (noun): The act of committing a crime.
Collocations
- perpetrate a crime
- perpetrate a fraud
- perpetrate violence
Example sentences
- "The ringleader was accused of perpetrating a massive fraud scheme against senior citizens." Judicial summary
Memory hook
PERPETRATE = PER (thoroughly) + PATRATE (perform a evil act). Commit a crime.
When not to use
Do not use to describe performing good deeds, helpful tasks, or creative works.
Fun facts
- Perpetrate is often confused with perpetuate in everyday speech, though their legal meanings are completely different.
Related words
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