Word
prosecute
Phoneticspros·e·cute, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈpɹɑsəkˌjut/
UK/pɹˈɒsɪkjˌuːt/
Definitions
01legal action
C1 · Advanced Law Formal
v. to officially charge someone with a crime and take them to court.
v. to institute and carry on legal proceedings against a person or organisation in a court of law.
日本語:起訴する※
“The shop decided to prosecute the man for stealing the expensive watch.”
“The Crown Prosecution Service determined there was sufficient evidence to prosecute the suspect for corporate fraud and money laundering.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and requires a direct object, usually the person or entity being charged.
02to continue a task
C2 · Proficiency Formal · Academic
v. to continue doing something or to follow a plan until it is finished.
v. to carry on or proceed with an investigation, task, or war to its completion.
“The company will prosecute its business goals with more energy next year.”
“The general was determined to prosecute the war to a decisive conclusion, regardless of the mounting political pressure at home.”
Usage
Often used in military or academic contexts regarding the 'prosecution of a war' or 'prosecution of research'.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “prosecute” in context.
Verb
01. fail to prosecute the case
“The district attorney decided to fail to prosecute the case due to a lack of credible witnesses.”
verb + infinitive
02. prosecute the war to its conclusion
“The general was determined to prosecute the war to its conclusion despite the mounting political pressure.”
verb + noun + prep + possessive + noun
03. vigorously prosecute the offenders
“The government has promised to vigorously prosecute the offenders involved in the tax evasion scandal.”
adv + verb + noun
Preposition
04. liable to be prosecuted
“Anyone found trespassing on this private property is liable to be prosecuted.”
adj + infinitive
Adverb
05. prosecute the inquiry further
“The committee decided to prosecute the inquiry further after new evidence came to light.”
verb + noun + adv
06. successfully prosecute the claim
“The legal team managed to successfully prosecute the claim, resulting in a significant settlement for the victim.”
adv + verb + noun
Confusables
Persecute is to mistreat someone for their beliefs; prosecute is to take someone to court for a crime.
RememberProsecute involves a Professional (lawyer); Persecute involves Personal bias.
Real-World Examples
“Two complaints – one relating to driver behaviour and the other a dispute over fares – led to taxi drivers being prosecuted.” “It doesn't prosecute cases itself but shares its evidence with courts and authorities that do.” “Photograph: Matin Ghasemi/Borna News/ATPImages/Getty Images It said it would pursue international legal avenues to try to prosecute the two men, but Russian officials have previously declined requests to extradite its former Syrian allies.” Etymology
Borrowed from Latin prōsecūtus, perfect participle of prōsequor. Doublet of pursue, from Old French. Compare also persecute.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/prosecute
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0