prosecute

[ pros-i-kyoot ]

verb (used with object)

, pros·e·cut·ed, pros·e·cut·ing.

1. Law.
   1. to institute legal proceedings against (a person).
   2. to seek to enforce or obtain by legal process.
   3. to conduct criminal proceedings in court against.
2. to follow up or carry forward something undertaken or begun, usually to its completion:

   to prosecute a war.

3. to carry on or practice.

   Synonyms: conduct, execute, discharge, perform

verb (used without object)

, pros·e·cut·ed, pros·e·cut·ing.

1. Law.
   1. to institute and carry on a legal prosecution.
   2. to act as prosecutor.

prosecute

/ ˈprɒsɪˌkjuːt /

verb

1. tr to bring a criminal action against (a person) for some offence
2. intr
   1. to seek redress by legal proceedings
   2. to institute or conduct a prosecution
3. tr to engage in or practise (a profession or trade)
4. tr to continue to do (a task, etc)

Derived Forms

• ˈproseˌcutable, adjective

Other Words From

• prose·cuta·ble adjective
• prose·cuta·bili·ty noun
• nonpros·e·cuta·ble adjective
• quasi-prose·cuted adjective
• re·prose·cute verb (used with object) reprosecuted reprosecuting
• well-prose·cuted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prosecute¹

1400–50; late Middle English prosecuten to follow up, go on with < Latin prōsecūtus, past participle of prōsequī to pursue, proceed with, equivalent to prō- pro- ¹ + secū-, variant stem of sequī to follow + -tus past participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of prosecute¹

C15: from Latin prōsequī to follow, from prō- forward + sequī to follow

Example Sentences

The latter doesn’t sound bad at all, until you remember that Marc Andreessen is one of Trump’s tech-world advisers, and that one of his big things these days is threatening to prosecute government/university/business officials who apparently “coordinated” to “censor” Elon Musk’s X by pulling advertising.

From Slate

There’s no question that Gaetz shares Trump’s desire for revenge against everyone who helped prosecute the former president under Biden.

From Slate

It is understood that while the government is not seeking to strip firms of powers to prosecute criminals who deliberately avoid paying, there has been growing discomfort at action being taken against people who have made innocent mistakes.

From BBC

As the head of the executive branch, the president “has exclusive authority and absolute discretion to decide which crimes to investigate and prosecute,” he declared.

From Los Angeles Times

She focused on alternatives to incarceration and promised to prosecute police misconduct.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arraign
• indict
• litigate
• sue
• summon
• try