What does perpetrated mean?
Perpetrated is the past tense and past participle of perpetrate, a formal verb meaning to carry out or commit an action. It is especially associated with crimes, fraud, violence, deception, and other acts that are considered wrong or harmful, although it can be used more neutrally for any deliberate undertaking. In reports, journalism, and legal contexts, the word gives an action a serious or condemnatory tone without necessarily stating explicitly that it was unlawful. A person perpetrates a crime or an act of violence; a group perpetrates a fraud; and an organization may perpetrate a scheme. The related verb perpetrate differs from perpetuate: the former means to carry something out, while the latter means to keep something continuing. Perpetrated is less usual in everyday conversation, where carried out, committed, or performed may sound more natural.
To carry out or commit an act, especially a crime, fraud, act of violence, or other reprehensible action.
"The suspect is accused of perpetrating a series of fraudulent transactions."
Formal and commonly used with crimes, violence, fraud, and other serious or objectionable actions.
To perform or carry out an action in a deliberate or systematic way.
"The team perpetrated an extensive investigation into the causes of the failure."
This use is possible but is relatively uncommon compared with the word's strongly established association with wrongdoing.
Perpetrated sounds formal because it often describes serious wrongdoing, but it can also refer neutrally to someone carrying out an ordinary action.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of perpetrated
The word comes from Latin perpetrare, meaning “to carry through” or “to perform,” formed with the prefix per-, meaning “through,” and a root associated with bringing or carrying an action to completion. English borrowed it in the early 17th century in the sense of committing a crime or carrying out an act. The related modern nouns perpetration and perpetrator continue to reflect the idea of an act being carried out.
Related word forms
How perpetrated is actually used
The word is formal and often carries a negative or judicial connotation, particularly when referring to crimes or wrongdoing. It can be used neutrally, but is less common than carried out, committed, or performed in ordinary contexts.
Easily confused with perpetrated
Perpetrate means to carry out an action, often a harmful one, whereas perpetuate means to make something continue to exist.