perpetuate

Perpetuate is a transitive verb meaning to cause something to continue indefinitely or to preserve from extinction. It can describe the persistence of a tradition, belief, practice, or an undesirable condition. The term is often used in analyses of social, cultural, or political phenomena, where actions, institutions, or interpretations help maintain a status quo over time.

Etymology and forms: Perpetuate derives from the Middle French perpetuer, from Latin perpetuatus, from perpetuus meaning continuous or uninterrupted. The related noun is perpetuation; the adjective is perpetual.

Usage notes: In everyday language, perpetuate is commonly used with negative connotations, as in “to perpetuate stereotypes” or “to perpetuate poverty.” However, it can be neutral, as in “to perpetuate a tradition.” The word is often confused with perpetrate, which means to commit or carry out a harmful or illegal act, not to extend its existence.

Examples: “The festival was perpetuated by generations of residents.” “Media coverage can perpetuate myths about the era.” “Policies that perpetuate inequality are a focus of reform debates.”

See also: perpetuation, perpetual, perpetuity, perpetuator.