Perpetrate: Meaning, Examples, and Usage

Meaning 1：commit a crime (perpetrate)

perpetrate 🔊

/ˈpɜːrpətreɪt/

vt.

to do something bad, especially a crime

Perpetrate crime scene with hooded figure typing on laptop

commit a crime 🔊

➕

/kəˈmɪt ə kraɪm/

vt.

To carry out or perform an action that is typically illegal or morally wrong, especially in the context of crimes.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Advanced

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'perpetrare': 'per-' (through) + 'patrare' (to accomplish).

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'perp' (slang for perpetrator) + 'create' — a perpetrator creates a crime.

📖 Example

The criminals used the internet to perpetrate a large-scale fraud. 🔊 The criminals used the internet to perpetrate a large-scale fraud.

🔗 Collocations

perpetrate a fraud – to carry out a fraudulent scheme

perpetrate a crime – to commit a criminal act

perpetrate a hoax – to carry out a deceptive trick

🔄 Synonyms

commit (v.) – to do something illegal or wrong

execute (v.) – to perform or carry out a task or action

enact (v.) – to put into practice or perform an action, often in legal sense

🚫 Antonyms

prevent (v.) – to stop something from happening

deter (v.) – to discourage someone from doing something

refrain (v.) – to stop oneself from doing something

🌱 Derivatives

perpetrator (n.) – a person who commits a crime or harmful act

perpetration (n.) – the act of committing a crime or harmful act

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from Latin 'perpetrare' (to accomplish). In Roman law, 'perpetrare' meant to carry out an action fully. Today, it's almost exclusively used for committing crimes or harmful acts.