perpetuate
To cause something to continue indefinitely
Examples
In a meeting
“This policy perpetuates inefficiency across departments”
Over coffee
“Sharing those rumors just perpetuates the drama”
Why this word
continue
continue simply means ongoing; perpetuate emphasizes causing indefinite or eternal continuation
maintain
maintain suggests keeping current state; perpetuate implies actively ensuring endless duration
preserve
preserve focuses on protection from loss; perpetuate emphasizes making something last indefinitely into the future
Usage tip
Often used for things that continue longer than they should, especially negative patterns
Etymology
Latin 'perpetuare' from 'perpetuus' (continuous) from 'per-' (through) + 'petere' (to go)
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Related words
sporadic
Occurring at irregular intervals or only occasionally
fluctuate
To rise and fall irregularly in number or amount.
sustain
To maintain something at a consistent level over a period of time; to keep going.
intermittently
Occurring at irregular intervals, not continuously
recur
To happen again or repeatedly
perpetuated
To cause something to continue indefinitely