perpetrate
Execute a wrong
To perpetrate is to commit or carry out something harmful, illegal, or wrong: Who perpetrated this fraud?
The word appears almost exclusively with negative acts—crimes, violence, deception, atrocities.
Occasionally used ironically for minor offenses: Who perpetrated this casserole?
The noun perpetrator names the person responsible.
Breaking of rules
- transgressionViolation of law or code
- offenseViolation or umbrage
- misconductImproper professional behavior
- misdeedImmoral or illegal act
wrongdoing · infraction · malfeasance · atrocity · injustice · abuse · harm · evil
Serious criminal offense
- misdemeanorLesser criminal charge
- burglaryIllegal entry to commit crime
- theftUnlawful taking of property
- assaultViolent offensive act
fraud · arson · kidnapping · robbery · embezzlement · vandalism · homicide · smuggling
Planned before acting
- calculatedFigured out mathematically
- willfulIntentionally unyielding
- deliberateConsciously chosen, not accidental
- intentionalDone on purpose
planned · orchestrated · schemed · conspired · contrived · plotted · designed · cunning
Moral self-reproach
- blameAssign responsibility for wrongdoing
- responsibilityState of being answerable
- accountabilityObligation for one's actions
- liabilityLegal or financial obligation
complicity · fault · incrimination · confession · admission · offender · culprit · accused
violation
Breaking of rules
- transgressionViolation of law or code
- offenseViolation or umbrage
- misconductImproper professional behavior
misdeed · wrongdoing · infraction · malfeasance · atrocity · injustice · abuse · harm · evil · outrage
carry out
Complete an intended action
inflict · undertake · accomplish · perform · conduct
felony
Serious criminal offense
- misdemeanorLesser criminal charge
- burglaryIllegal entry to commit crime
- theftUnlawful taking of property
assault · fraud · arson · kidnapping · robbery · embezzlement · vandalism · homicide · smuggling · cybercrime
premeditated
Planned before acting
- calculatedFigured out mathematically
- willfulIntentionally unyielding
- deliberateConsciously chosen, not accidental
intentional · planned · orchestrated · schemed · conspired · contrived · plotted · designed · cunning · methodical
guilt
Moral self-reproach
- blameAssign responsibility for wrongdoing
- responsibilityState of being answerable
- accountabilityObligation for one's actions
liability · complicity · fault · incrimination · confession · admission · offender · culprit · accused · defendant
- single perpetratorOne person responsible
perpetrator, perpetration, perpetrated, perpetrating, perpetrators, perpetrates, perpetrations