prosecute

verb pros·e·cute \ ˈprä-si-ˌkyüt \

Updated on: 15 Apr 2018

Definition of prosecute

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

play \ˌprä-sə-ˈkyü-tə-bəl\ adjective

See prosecute defined for English-language learners

See prosecute defined for kids

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 of prosecute from the Web

Such transgressions are potentially serious, yet rarely prosecuted.

— The Economist, "The Mueller probe is as much about the rule of law as Russian meddling," 14 Apr. 2018
The case of a Pewaukee woman accused of homicide in a fatal Lisbon crash remains in pretrial stages as prosecuting and defense attorneys seek more information.

— steven martinez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Case of Pewaukee woman accused of homicide in fatal Lisbon crash continues to plod along," 11 Apr. 2018
Six other people have been arrested and prosecuted in the case.

— Fox News, "Dominican court sentences man for 2011 murder of journalist," 10 Apr. 2018
Sessions tells prosecutors to ask for additional resources if needed to prosecute cases.

— CBS News, "Sessions orders "zero tolerance" policy on illegal border crossings," 6 Apr. 2018
Local regulators and prosecutors have been reluctant to prosecute laundering cases or impose fines on banks, according to reports by the European Commission and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

— drew hinshaw, WSJ, "ECB to Challenge Latvia Over Decision to Bar Central Bank Governor Rimsevics," 6 Apr. 2018
The news follows Obama administration efforts, spearheaded largely by the Department of Justice, to seize journalists' emails using the Espionage Act, increase surveillance pressure on journalists, and prosecute leakers of classified secrets.

— sam machkovech, Ars Technica, "DHS defends media-monitoring database, calls critics “conspiracy theorists”," 6 Apr. 2018
The agency is working with U.S. Homeland Security Investigations and the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office to prosecute these cases.

— sandra dibble, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Teen fentanyl arrests at San Diego border spur push to warn underage smugglers," 5 Apr. 2018
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Ebert Haegele is prosecuting the case.

— matthew glowicki, The Courier-Journal, "Originally charged as a juvenile, 18-year-old is indicted in February slaying in Newburg," 4 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prosecute.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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.

Origin and Etymology of prosecute

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

prosecute Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Near Antonyms

fail;

skimp, slight, slur;

ace, nail;

engage (in), practice (also practise);

work (at);

reduplicate, reenact, repeat;

actualize, attain, realize;

complete, end, finish, wind up;

Phrases

go through;

PROSECUTE Defined for English Language Learners

prosecute

verb

Definition of prosecute for English Language Learners

law : to hold a trial against a person who is accused of a crime to see if that person is guilty
: to work as a lawyer to try to prove a case against someone accused of a crime
: to continue to do (something) : to proceed with (something)