perpetrated

Perpetrated is the past tense and past participle of the verb perpetrate. It means to carry out or commit a harmful, illegal, or otherwise wrongful act. The term is most commonly used to describe crimes, fraud, violence, or deception, and it generally conveys intentionality and responsibility.

In journalism, law, and formal writing, perpetrate is used to attribute an act to its actor; the act is described as having been perpetrated by someone, often in passive constructions: “The assault was perpetrated by...”. In active form: “The suspect perpetrated the assault.”

Nuance: the word implies deliberate wrongdoing and is typically used in serious or official contexts. It does not automatically imply guilt; the surrounding evidence or charges determine responsibility.

Etymology: from Latin perpetratus, past participle of perpetrāre, meaning to accomplish or complete; English usage dates to the early modern period, often via French.

Related terms include perpetrator and perpetration; synonyms include commit, carry out, and execute. See also crime, offense, and wrongdoing.