Perpetrate-Perpetuate | Commonly Confused Words
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Perpetrate vs. Perpetuate

Perpetrate

/ˈpɜːpətreɪt/
To perform or carry out an action, often something wrong or illegal

Examples:

The hacker was caught before he could perpetrate the cyber attack.Efforts to perpetrate fraud were thwarted by the vigilant researchers.They conspired to perpetrate a theft at the art gallery.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Perpetuate

/pəˈpetʃueɪt/
To cause something to last longer or continue indefinitely.

Examples:

Art can perpetuate cultural narratives through generations.He sought to perpetuate his legacy with charitable works.Rumors can perpetuate misinformation if left unchecked.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Ways to tell them apart:

etymology
  • Remember that perpetrate often involves an action, it is similar to execute or carry out with a tangible result.
  • Perpetuate is about time, think of it like preserving or sustaining something for the future.
  • If youre committing something, especially if its a crime, youre likely perpetrating.'
  • When you want something to continue or last, youre working to perpetuate' it.
  • Use perpetrate for starting actions and perpetuate for continuing states.
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