What does perpetrating mean?
Perpetrating means committing a crime, fraud, error, or another wrongful act. In this form, it is the present participle of the verb "perpetrate" and commonly appears in formal or legal contexts, as in "accused of perpetrating fraud" or "caught perpetrating an offence." Although it can describe any act, its use almost always carries a negative implication of deliberate or serious wrongdoing. The verb is more pointed than the general word "commit" and gives the act a formal, sometimes dramatic, character. It can also be used figuratively, for example when someone perpetrates a mistake, although this usage is less common. Perpetrating is often confused with "perpetuating," which means keeping something existing or continuing over time rather than carrying out an act. The distinction is especially important because both words share the same initial spelling and a similar sound.
verb (present participle of perpetrate)To commit a crime, fraud, error, or other wrongful act. It is especially used for deliberate or serious wrongdoing.
- To commit a crime, fraud, error, or other wrongful act.
"The defendant was accused of perpetrating fraud by submitting falsified financial records."
"The investigators believed the fire had been started by someone perpetrating an act of arson."
"The report describes how the fraud was perpetrated through a series of forged invoices."
Perpetrate sounds like a permanent crime, but it simply means to commit or carry it out.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does perpetrating come from?
The word comes through French from Latin "perpetrare," meaning to perpetrate or complete, with the specific sense of committing an offence developing in English. Latin "perpetrare" was formed from a prefix meaning "thoroughly" and a root connected with "pater," meaning father, reflecting the idea of being the "father" of an act. Related English words include "paternal," "paternity," and "patron."
Related word forms
How perpetrating is actually used
The word has a formal or legal tone and normally implies deliberate, serious wrongdoing. It is often stronger and more specific than the neutral verb "commit," especially in phrases such as "perpetrate a crime" or "perpetrate fraud."
Easily confused with perpetrating
Perpetrate means to commit an act, usually a wrongful one, whereas perpetuate means to make a condition, practice, or tradition last.