prosecute

pros·e·cute

verb \ˈprä-si-ˌkyüt\

pros·e·cut·edpros·e·cut·ing

Definition of PROSECUTE

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

— pros·e·cut·able \ˌprä-sə-ˈkyü-tə-bəl\ adjective

Examples of PROSECUTE

1. The store's owner agreed not to prosecute if the boy returned the stolen goods.
2. The case is being prosecuted by the assistant district attorney.
3. She criticized the government for the way it has prosecuted the war.

Origin of PROSECUTE

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

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to PROSECUTE

Synonyms

accomplish, achieve, bring off, carry off, carry out, commit, compass, do, execute, follow through (with), fulfill (or fulfil), make, negotiate, perpetrate, perform, pull off, put through

Related Words

bring about, effect, effectuate, implement; ace, nail; engage (in), practice (also practise); work (at); reduplicate, reenact, repeat; actualize, attain, realize; complete, end, finish, wind up

Near Antonyms

fail; skimp, slight, slur

Rhymes with PROSECUTE

absolute, Aleut, arrowroot, Asyût, attribute, autoroute, bandicoot, bathing suit, birthday suit, bitterroot, bodysuit, boilersuit, bumbershoot, business suit, comminute, constitute, contribute, convolute, destitute, disrepute, dissolute, execute, follow suit, gingerroot, hot pursuit, institute, involute, kiwifruit, leisure suit, malamute, overshoot, parachute, passion fruit, persecute, point-and-shoot, prostitute, qiviut, resolute, restitute, revolute, run-and-shoot, rural route, subacute, substitute, troubleshoot, undershoot