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

The Justice Department may investigate and prosecute in those instances. —Sarah Webber, Fortune, 24 May 2026

Special Counsel Jack Smith dropped the charges after Trump won the 2024 election, citing a Justice Department policy against prosecuting a sitting president. —Drew Pittock, USA Today, 24 May 2026

Crenshaw said the government would not have prosecuted Abrego Garcia if not for his successful lawsuit challenging his deportation to El Salvador. —Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR, 22 May 2026

Trump negotiating a settlement to his own lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service that would set up the compensation fund for those perceived to be wrongly prosecuted — proved too toxic for the Senate to bear. —Joey Cappelletti, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 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