prosecute

American  

[pros-i-kyoot] / ˈprɒs ɪˌkyut /

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

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verb (used without object)

prosecuted, prosecuting

1. Law.

   1. to institute and carry on a legal prosecution.

   2. to act as prosecutor.

prosecute British  

/ 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)

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

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

Explanation

To prosecute is to participate in or pursue something to completion, like a government’s intention to prosecute a war. Prosecute is most often used for bringing legal action against an accused person or group. Prosecute comes from the Latin, “prosesutus,” meaning “follow after.” The legal sense of the word first appeared in the 1570s. A district attorney will often prosecute, by bringing legal charges and action against a person or group (watch any TV legal drama, and the prosecution will no doubt prosecute eventually). A company may prosecute by suing to protect against damages. Prosecute should not be confused with the word persecute, which means to harass or oppress.

Example Sentences

In the aftermath, trials were held to prosecute Japanese war crimes.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

The intimidation Mandy experienced happened as she was helping to successfully prosecute a sophisticated gang running a multi-million pound operation across a UK-wide network of more than 50 shops.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

However, states can prosecute federal agents under their own laws if their actions do not meet those criteria.

From Slate • Apr. 17, 2026

Then-Attorney General Pam Bondi chose Thomas Albus, whom Trump had appointed as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, to prosecute the case even though it fell far outside his usual regional jurisdiction.

From Salon • Apr. 14, 2026

“You mean to prosecute the Times?” asked Nixon.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin

Related Words

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