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

Derived Forms

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

After the deadly 2024 fire, the government promised a safety audit of all schools and to prosecute violators, but it is not clear if any measures were implemented.

From Barron's • May 28, 2026

The harder problem is building a legal system from scratch to prosecute them.

From Slate • May 27, 2026

If the CPS does decide to prosecute, any trials are unlikely to begin before 2029.

From BBC • May 19, 2026

There’s a simple way to lower healthcare costs without requiring Americans to bear unacceptable trade-offs: prosecute Medicaid fraud and put the recovered funds back into citizens’ pockets.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

But you’re American, so I’m not sure they can prosecute you here.

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

Related Words

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