prosecute

verb pros·e·cute \ ˈprä-si-ˌkyüt \

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

Trump defended his decision during a press conference Monday, saying Arpaio was unfairly prosecuted.

— toluse olorunnipa, Bloomberg.com, "Christie Is Latest Republican to Criticize Trump’s Arpaio Pardon," 30 Aug. 2017
The reasons his case came now is Stringer was prosecuted first in Orange County for a robbery there.

— neal putnam, Ramona Sentinel, "Court postpones trial for suspect in kidnapping case," 16 Aug. 2017
The book explores the attempts to prosecute Pou and two nurses for homicide after an investigation revealed elevated levels of morphine and other drugs in 23 patients who died at the hospital.

— laura bradley, HWD, "American Crime Story: Katrina Is Still Happening—But the Plan Has Changed," 10 Aug. 2017
Democrats have coalesced around Dhingra, a senior deputy prosecuting attorney for King County.

— joseph o’sullivan, The Seattle Times, "In high-profile state Senate race, Democrat Manka Dhingra leads Republican Jinyoung Englund," 1 Aug. 2017
In the name of prosecuting the war on terrorism, Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama undermined privacy and due process rights, weakening some of the most important protections in the Bill of Rights.

— andrew cohen, Esquire, "How the President Undermined Police Chiefs," 31 July 2017
Make no mistake the photographers, the agency and the magazine will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

— lauren alexis fisher, Harper's BAZAAR, "George Clooney Vows to "Prosecute" Following Paparazzi Incident With Twins," 28 July 2017
Despite having supported President-elect throughout the campaign, Christie has not been named to a cabinet position in Trump's administration, a slight some see as revenge for his role in prosecuting Jared's father.

— caroline hallemann, Town & Country, "9 Things You Should Know About the Kushner Family," 21 July 2017
Graziani was never prosecuted for crimes in Africa, though he was convicted for collaboration with the Nazis and briefly imprisoned.

— The Economist, "Italy and the Addis Ababa massacre," 20 July 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of prosecute

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

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First Known Use: 15th century

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, 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

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)

PROSECUTE Defined for Kids

prosecute

verb pros·e·cute \ ˈprä-si-ˌkyüt \

Definition of prosecute for Students

prosecuted; prosecuting

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

2 :to follow up to the end :keep at

prosecute a war

Law Dictionary

prosecute

verb pros·e·cute \ ˈprä-si-ˌkyüt \

legal Definition of prosecute

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

play \ˌprä-si-ˈkyü-tə-bəl\ adjective

Origin and Etymology of prosecute

Latin prosecutus, past participle of prosequi to pursue

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PROSECUTE Defined for English Language Learners

prosecute

Definition of prosecute for English Language Learners

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prosecute

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prosecutable

Origin and Etymology of prosecute

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