prosecute

[pros-i-kyoot]

verb (used with object)

prosecuted, prosecuting 

1. Law.

   1. to institute legal proceedings against (a person).

   2. to seek to enforce or obtain by legal process.

   3. to conduct criminal proceedings in court against.

2. to follow up or carry forward something undertaken or begun, usually to its completion.

   to prosecute a war.

3. to carry on or practice.

   Synonyms: conduct, execute, discharge, perform

verb (used without object)

prosecuted, prosecuting 

1. Law.

   1. to institute and carry on a legal prosecution.

   2. to act as prosecutor.

prosecute

/ ˈprɒsɪˌkjuːt /

verb

1. (tr) to bring a criminal action against (a person) for some offence

2. (intr)

   1. to seek redress by legal proceedings

   2. to institute or conduct a prosecution

3. (tr) to engage in or practise (a profession or trade)

4. (tr) to continue to do (a task, etc)

Other Word Forms

• prosecutable adjective
• prosecutability noun
• nonprosecutable adjective
• quasi-prosecuted adjective
• reprosecute verb (used with object)
• well-prosecuted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prosecute¹

1400–50; late Middle English prosecuten to follow up, go on with < Latin prōsecūtus, past participle of prōsequī to pursue, proceed with, equivalent to prō- pro- ¹ + secū-, variant stem of sequī to follow + -tus past participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of prosecute¹

C15: from Latin prōsequī to follow, from prō- forward + sequī to follow

Example Sentences

Louise Oakley, prosecuting, said the Crown's case was that the three girls had carried out "unprovoked violence" in their attack.

From BBC

Charles Row KC, prosecuting, told the court on Friday he would have "died or was dying" in Gunter's arms during the final incident.

From BBC

The men moved to have their charges dismissed, arguing that Chattah was not “validly” serving in her position, and asked for her disqualification from prosecuting criminal cases in Nevada.

From Salon

Terence Newman, prosecuting, said Sharwarq knocked a fellow migrant to the floor in a one-punch attack at the hotel's canteen, which left him bleeding.

From BBC

In March, a federal prosecutor in Los Angeles was fired after lawyers for a fast-food executive he was prosecuting pushed officials in Washington to drop all charges against him, according to multiple sources.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arraign 
• indict 
• litigate 
• sue 
• summon 
• try