prosecute

verb

pros·​e·​cute ˈprä-si-ˌkyüt 

prosecuted; prosecuting

transitive verb

1

: to follow to the end : pursue until finished

prosecute a war

2

: to engage in : perform

3

a

: to bring legal action against for redress or punishment of a crime or violation of law

b

: to institute legal proceedings with reference to

prosecute a claim

intransitive verb

: to institute and carry on a legal suit or prosecution

prosecutable

ˌprä-sə-ˈkyü-tə-bəl 

adjective

Did you know?

Prosecute vs. Persecute

Take care to distinguish between prosecuted and persecuted, although we sincerely hope that neither word applies to you. Persecute typically has a small range of meanings, such as “to harass or punish in a manner designed to injure, grieve, or afflict.” Although the word is occasionally found in dialectal use to mean “prosecute,” many usage guides consider this to be an error. Prosecute is generally found today in a legal context (“to bring legal action against for redress or punishment of a crime or violation of law”), although the word may also be used to mean “to follow to the end” or “to engage in.” If someone is prosecuted they are being tried in a court of law; if they are persecuted they are being targeted and harassed.

Synonyms of prosecute

• execute
• fulfill
• perform
• accomplish
• achieve
• do
• implement
• make

Examples of prosecute in a Sentence

The store's owner agreed not to prosecute if the boy returned the stolen goods.

The case is being prosecuted by the assistant district attorney.

She criticized the government for the way it has prosecuted the war.

Recent Examples on the Web

Being registered to vote when not eligible is a misdemeanor under federal law, generally prosecuted on an individual basis. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2026

The two have also knocked heads over how the city attorney should charge and prosecute misdemeanors, work that accounts for about a third of the job. — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026

Because the death of Manuel Boitel involved a police officer, the case was prosecuted by the office of New York State Attorney General Letitia James, which asked for a sentence of six to 18 years. — Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026

Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who arrested an Army veteran who held undocumented immigrants at gunpoint and chafed when Thomas wouldn’t prosecute him, soon saw which way the political winds were blowing and signed on as Thomas’ biggest supporter. — Michael Kiefer, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin prosecutus, past participle of prosequi to pursue — more at pursue

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for prosecute

• absolute
• arrowroot
• attribute
• bitterroot
• constitute
• convolute
• destitute
• disrepute
• dissolute
• execute
• institute
• involute

Kids Definition

prosecute

verb

pros·​e·​cute ˈpräs-i-ˌkyüt 

prosecuted; prosecuting

1

: to follow up to the end : keep at

prosecute a war

2

: to carry on a legal action against an accused person to prove his or her guilt

prosecutable

-ˌkyüt-ə-bəl 

adjective

Legal Definition

prosecute

verb

pros·​e·​cute ˈprä-si-ˌkyüt 

prosecuted; prosecuting

transitive verb

1

: to institute and carry forward legal action against for redress or especially punishment of a crime

2

: to institute and carry on a lawsuit with reference to

an action must be prosecuted in the name of the real party in interest

—Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 17(a)

intransitive verb

: to institute and carry on a civil or criminal action

decided not to prosecute

prosecutable

ˌprä-si-ˈkyü-tə-bəl 

adjective

Etymology

Latin prosecutus, past participle of prosequi to pursue