prosecute
6 synonyms and 1 antonym for prosecute, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To formally charge someone with a crime and pursue legal action against them in court.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use prosecute
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
prosecute a case
fully prosecute
prosecuted for
Etymology
From Latin prosecutus, the past participle of prosequor ("to follow, pursue"). A doublet of "pursue."
Full origin of prosecute →Frequently asked questions
What does “prosecute” mean?
The word “prosecute” means to formally charge someone with a crime and pursue legal action against them in court. In plain terms, to bring someone to trial for a crime, or (less commonly) to carry something through to completion.
How do you pronounce “prosecute”?
“Prosecute” is pronounced PRO-sihk-yoot (/ˈpɹɒsɪkjuːt/ in IPA).
How do you use “prosecute” in a sentence?
Here is “prosecute” used in a sentence: “The company was prosecuted for violating safety regulations.”
What part of speech is “prosecute”?
“Prosecute” is a verb.
Where does the word “prosecute” come from?
The word “prosecute” comes from Latin. From Latin prosecutus, the past participle of prosequor ("to follow, pursue"). A doublet of "pursue.".
Is “prosecute” a common word?
“Prosecute” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “prosecute” have?
“Prosecute” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to formally charge someone with a crime and pursue legal action against them in court.
What is the difference between "prosecute" and "persecute"?
"Prosecute" means to formally charge someone with a crime and pursue legal action against them in court, a term rooted in law. "Persecute" means to subject someone to hostile or unfair treatment, often because of their beliefs or identity, and has no legal connotation.
Who has the authority to prosecute someone in a criminal case?
A prosecutor, typically a government or state attorney, brings and pursues criminal charges against a defendant in court. This is distinct from a private individual bringing a civil lawsuit.
What does it mean to "prosecute" a plan or task, as opposed to prosecuting a crime?
In a more formal, less common sense, "prosecute" can mean to carry a task or plan through to its conclusion, without any legal meaning. For example, "to prosecute a war" means to conduct or pursue it to its end.
