prosecute Hear it!

prosecute Definition

pros·ecute (präs′ə kyo̵̅o̅t′)

transitive verb -·cut′ed, -·cut′·ing

  1. to follow up or pursue (something) to a conclusion to prosecute a war with vigor
  2. to carry on; engage in
    1. to institute legal proceedings against, or conduct criminal proceedings in court against
    2. to try to get, enforce, etc. by legal process to prosecute a claim

Etymology: ME prosecuten < L prosecutus, pp. of prosequi < pro-, pro- + sequi, to follow: see sequent

intransitive verb

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

prosecute Related Forms

pros′·ecut′·able adjective

prosecute Synonyms

prosecute

v.

  1. To pursue

    follow up, put through, execute, finish; see continue 1.

  2. Involve in a legal action

    contest, indict, involve in litigation, bring to justice; see sue.

prosecute Usage Examples

Object

  • offender: The campaign also aimed at prosecuting persistent offenders who continued to dump rubbish in the area.
  • perpetrator: Why should the victims of discrimination be left to prosecute the perpetrators?
  • attorney: The faces of the defense and prosecuting attorneys appear on screens suspended over the stage on stage right and stage left.
  • counsel: Simon Butler, prosecuting counsel from Cornwall & Hackney appeared to be very uncomfortable with Sunderland's vicious attack.
  • fraudsters: A telephone hotline has been set-up by the OFT to collect evidence which the Canadian authorities can use to prosecute the fraudsters.
  • polluter: The NRA has substantial powers, reinforced by recent case law, to prosecute polluters of groundwater supplies.

Preposition: on

behalf: The CPS prosecutes on behalf of the public at large and not just in the interest of any particular individual.

Subject

cliche: I come over all Lynn Truss when I read these despatches from the front line of the war prosecuted by cliche against sensibility.

Modifying Another Word

  • successfully: The Office for Fair Trading has successfully prosecuted both of these concerns.
  • vigorously: She is still vigorously prosecuting electronic racketeering in Phoenix, Arizona.

Used with why or when

where: Prosecutions The Council can prosecute where an offense has been committed ( see above ).

Preposition: in

court: I never thought The CPS would allow ' lay ' staff to prosecute in court.

Preposition: with

consent: Top of page Consents A number of offenses can only be prosecuted with the consent of the DPP or the law officers.

Preposition: for

  • manslaughter: The judgment is the first successful judicial review of a decision not to prosecute for manslaughter over a workplace death.
  • offense: The lorry driver was not prosecuted for any offense.
  • breach: Where this approach fails there remains the option to prosecute for breach of license conditions.
  • fraud: How many people do we prosecute for benefit fraud?
  • possession: They allowed cannabis to be sold from youth centers and coffee shops, predominantly in Amsterdam and did not prosecute for possession.
  • driving: You can also be prosecuted for careless driving or dangerous driving which carry higher penalties.

Preposition: by

cliche: I come over all Lynn Truss when I read these despatches from the front line of the war prosecuted by cliche against sensibility.