Synonyms

prosecute

American

[pros-i-kyoot] / ˈprɒs ɪˌkyut /

verb (used with object)

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.
to follow up or carry forward something undertaken or begun, usually to its completion.

to prosecute a war.
to carry on or practice.

Synonyms:

conduct, execute, discharge, perform

verb (used without object)

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

prosecute British

/ ˈprɒsɪˌkjuːt /

verb

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of prosecute

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

Explanation

To prosecute is to participate in or pursue something to completion, like a government’s intention to prosecute a war. Prosecute is most often used for bringing legal action against an accused person or group. Prosecute comes from the Latin, “prosesutus,” meaning “follow after.” The legal sense of the word first appeared in the 1570s. A district attorney will often prosecute, by bringing legal charges and action against a person or group (watch any TV legal drama, and the prosecution will no doubt prosecute eventually). A company may prosecute by suing to protect against damages. Prosecute should not be confused with the word persecute, which means to harass or oppress.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“The state has the tools in place to not only block price gouging during this emergency, but also to prosecute bad actors.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2026

After all, the ATF investigates cases, but U.S. attorneys prosecute them.

From Salon • Jun. 2, 2026

After the deadly 2024 fire, the government promised a safety audit of all schools and to prosecute violators, but it is not clear if any measures were implemented.

From Barron's • May 28, 2026

But Ofsted has failed to successfully prosecute a single provider of illegal children's homes.

From BBC • May 20, 2026

There was usually a certain amount of guesswork involved, and that would make the case a challenge to prosecute.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023