prosecute

verb pros·e·cute \ ˈprä-si-ˌkyüt \

Updated on: 12 May 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

His case will be prosecuted in the U.S. Eastern District Court of New York.

— jared gilmour, miamiherald, "He worked for an airline. His side job was smuggling $160,000 in cocaine, New York authorities say | Miami Herald," 21 Mar. 2018
No one was ever prosecuted or charged with the lynching.

— stephen hudak, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Greenwood Cemetery moonlight tour aims to shed light on racial injustice," 3 May 2018
In arguing over when Cosby's encounter with Constand took place, Cosby's lawyers sought to suggest that the comedian was charged after the 12-year statute of limitations for prosecuting him had run out.

— CBS News, "Bill Cosby verdict: Comedian found guilty in sexual assault trial," 26 Apr. 2018
He was scheduled to appear in Haverhill District Court Wednesday, according to Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett’s office, which is prosecuting him.

— john r. ellement, BostonGlobe.com, "Deputy sheriff is fatally shot in Norridgewock, Maine," 25 Apr. 2018
If it is determined that criminal activity has taken place, the person responsible will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

— jeremy pierre, ajc, "Teacher's school messaging app hacked, sexual photos sent to students," 24 Apr. 2018
Banks and bankers, therefore, must be prosecuted and punished through the same legal process as everyone else.

— mehrsa baradaran, Fortune, "Commentary: Why We Need to Stop Fining Big Banks Like Wells Fargo," 23 Apr. 2018
Under federal law, defendants in pyramid schemes can be prosecuted criminally for mail fraud, securities fraud, tax fraud, and money laundering, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

— dwight adams, Indianapolis Star, "Parents beware: The book exchange where you send 1 to get 36 probably won’t work," 17 Apr. 2018
By the time that finally happened, the statute of limitations on prosecuting him for rape had passed.

— torey van oot, Glamour, "Mariska Hargitay’s New Documentary Is an Unflinching Look at America's Untested Rape Kits," 16 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)

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

Learn More about prosecute

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for prosecute Spanish Central: Translation of prosecute Nglish: Translation of prosecute for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of prosecute for Arabic speakers

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prosecute

Definition of prosecute

prosecutable

Examples of prosecute in a Sentence

Recent Examples of prosecute from the Web

prosecute vs. persecute

Origin and Etymology of prosecute

prosecute Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases

PROSECUTE Defined for English Language Learners

prosecute

Definition of prosecute for English Language Learners

PROSECUTE Defined for Kids

prosecute

Definition of prosecute for Students

Law Dictionary

prosecute

legal Definition of prosecute

prosecutable

Origin and Etymology of prosecute

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