perpetrate
perpetrate Lexical Profile
perpetrate Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To carry out or commit (a harmful, illegal, or immoral action, such as a crime or fraud).
"The financial regulators discovered that the executives had conspired to perpetrate a massive accounting fraud."
To produce, perform, or be responsible for (something considered tasteless, foolish, or poorly executed, often used humorously).
"No one in the office was willing to admit who had tried to perpetrate that terrible pun during the morning meeting."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'perpetrate' (to commit a harmful, illegal, or immoral act) with 'perpetuate' (to make something continue indefinitely).
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 15th century from Latin 'perpetratus', past participle of 'perpetrare' ('to perform, accomplish, bring about'), formed from 'per-' ('thoroughly') and 'patrare' ('to bring to pass', literally 'to act as a father', from 'pater').