Perpetuate

To cause something to continue indefinitely or for a prolonged period; to make a situation, idea, or feeling continue, often unintentionally. This can apply to both positive and negative aspects, such as perpetuating a tradition, a cycle of violence, or a myth. The act of perpetuating implies a degree of unintentional reinforcement or unconscious contribution to the continuation of something, rather than a deliberate plan to sustain it indefinitely. It often describes the unintended, yet significant, impact our actions and beliefs have on the endurance of certain phenomena.

Perpetuate meaning with examples

• The company's aggressive marketing campaign was designed to perpetuate brand loyalty, hoping to secure customer relationships over the long term. By consistently highlighting the benefits of its products, they aimed to ensure that customers would continue purchasing from them for years to come. This long-term strategy required more than just a one-off advertising blitz, rather an ongoing, multi-faceted approach.
• Generations of storytelling served to perpetuate the folklore surrounding the hero, solidifying his legend in the minds of the people. The stories, passed down through families and communities, embellished his deeds and reinforced his bravery, making sure his tale would live forever. The retelling of his triumphs ensured his legacy would become ingrained.
• Economic policies that favor the wealthy can unintentionally perpetuate the cycle of income inequality. By providing tax breaks and incentives that disproportionately benefit the upper class, the government inadvertently makes it harder for those lower on the scale to climb up. This outcome reinforces and further entrenches economic disparities.
• The media, through its constant coverage of celebrity gossip, often perpetuates a culture of superficiality and obsession with appearances. By constantly focusing on the trivial details of famous people's lives, it gives an example for people that superficiality is more important than other values. In doing so, it risks fostering a distorted perception of reality.
• His unwillingness to address his past mistakes only served to perpetuate the negative relationship dynamics with his family. Refusing to take responsibility and learn from errors meant that the same problems and conflicts would continue to arise. Confronting his actions would have required admitting vulnerabilities.