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

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

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem threatened to prosecute people for publishing agents’ personal information last month in response to fliers in Portland that called for people to collect intel on ICE.

From Los Angeles Times

An unpublished Crown Office review seen by BBC Scotland in 2024 said a decision not to prosecute the prison officers, made two months after Mr Marshall's death, was "incorrect".

From BBC

Villanueva told The Times he’s “eager to get back in the saddle,” especially now, when “there are prosecutors ready to prosecute,” a nod to the tough-on-crime stances of Acting U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

In 2024, Taiwan's National Security Bureau said 64 people were prosecuted for spying for China.

From BBC

Related Words

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