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

Example Sentences

Her response to questions about the DOJ’s failure to prosecute Epstein’s accomplices with the statement “the Dow is over $50,000 right now” became an immediate punch line.

From Slate • Apr. 2, 2026

The DOJ routinely declines to prosecute cases for any number of reasons, including insufficient evidence or because a case is not a priority for enforcement.

From Salon • Apr. 1, 2026

Cambodian authorities have vowed to stamp out the business by the end of next month, vowing to prosecute low-level scammers, bosses and landlords of scam sites alike.

From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026

He added that if the department learns of abuse by men and has “evidence that allows us to prosecute them, you better believe we will.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

"Well, you've indicted someone for perjury for contradicting the state's case. Do you intend to prosecute everyone who challenges the evidence in this case?"

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

Related Words

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