prosecute

[ pros-i-kyoot ]

See synonyms for: prosecute prosecutes on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),pros·e·cut·ed, pros·e·cut·ing.

Law.
- to institute legal proceedings against (a person).
- to seek to enforce or obtain by legal process.
- to conduct criminal proceedings in court against.
to follow up or carry forward something undertaken or begun, usually to its completion: to prosecute a war.

to carry on or practice.

verb (used without object),pros·e·cut·ed, pros·e·cut·ing.

Law.
- to institute and carry on a legal prosecution.
- to act as prosecutor.

Origin of prosecute

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

Other words for prosecute

3	perform, discharge, execute, conduct

See synonyms for prosecute on Thesaurus.com

Other words from prosecute

pros·e·cut·a·ble, adjective
pros·e·cut·a·bil·i·ty, noun
non·pros·e·cut·a·ble, adjective
qua·si-pros·e·cut·ed, adjective
re·pros·e·cute, verb (used with object), re·pros·e·cut·ed, re·pros·e·cut·ing.
well-pros·e·cut·ed, adjective

Words that may be confused with prosecute

persecute, prosecute

Words Nearby prosecute

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use prosecute in a sentence

In a statement, she said the letter never should have been sent and her office wouldn’t prosecute a journalist or compel them to reveal sources.
Morning Report: SDPD Has Ticketed Dozens for ‘Seditious Language’ | Voice of San Diego | August 3, 2020 | Voice of San Diego
She called it “antiquated” and said deputy city attorneys would not prosecute anyone for it.
SDPD Is Punishing Speech Using a 102-Year-Old City Law | Kate Nucci | August 3, 2020 | Voice of San Diego
My office has never – and will never – prosecute a journalist or compel them to reveal confidential sources.
Politics Report: Mara Elliott, Plumber | Scott Lewis and Andrew Keatts | August 1, 2020 | Voice of San Diego
The office also prosecutes all misdemeanor crimes in the city of San Diego.
Politics Report: Vacation Rentals? It’s Just Like Old Times! | Scott Lewis and Andrew Keatts | July 4, 2020 | Voice of San Diego
As San Diego prepares to prosecute people who attended protests, the streetlight camera footage could be useful not just to local authorities, but to federal prosecutors.
Police Used Smart Streetlight Footage to Investigate Protesters | Jesse Marx | June 29, 2020 | Voice of San Diego

prosecute him, and you may promise yourself to be blown up at every gaming-house in the town.
The World's Greatest Books, Vol IV. | Editors: Arthur Mee and J.A. Hammerton
prosecute the boy, and you put him in prison, and spend more money; you get none back.
The New Mistress | George Manville Fenn

British Dictionary definitions for prosecute

prosecute

/ (ˈprɒsɪˌkjuːt) /

verb

(tr) to bring a criminal action against (a person) for some offence
(intr)
- to seek redress by legal proceedings
- to institute or conduct a prosecution

(tr) to engage in or practise (a profession or trade)
(tr) to continue to do (a task, etc)

Origin of prosecute

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

Derived forms of prosecute

prosecutable, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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