Word
prosecute
Phoneticspros·e·cute
US/ˈpɹɑsəkˌjut/
UK/pɹˈɒsɪkjˌuːt/
Definitions
01legal action
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.
“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.”
Formal
Usage
The verb is transitive and requires a direct object, usually the person or entity being charged.
02to continue a task
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.”
Formal · Academic
Usage
Often used in military or academic contexts regarding the 'prosecution of a war' or 'prosecution of research'.
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.
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englishreference.com/q/prosecute