prosecute
verb
Did you know?
Prosecute vs. Persecute
Take care to distinguish between prosecuted and persecuted, although we sincerely hope that neither word applies to you. Persecute typically has a small range of meanings, such as “to harass or punish in a manner designed to injure, grieve, or afflict.” Although the word is occasionally found in dialectal use to mean “prosecute,” many usage guides consider this to be an error. Prosecute is generally found today in a legal context (“to bring legal action against for redress or punishment of a crime or violation of law”), although the word may also be used to mean “to follow to the end” or “to engage in.” If someone is prosecuted they are being tried in a court of law; if they are persecuted they are being targeted and harassed.
Synonyms
Examples of prosecute in a Sentence
Daniel W. Drezner, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024
But Maduro reneged on the agreement and instead cracked down on his critics, detaining political opponents and human rights defenders, disqualifying opposition candidates and prosecuting critics on politically motivated charges.
—Tirana Hassan, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
In 2022, 1,656 suspects were prosecuted, which was double the number prosecuted in 2012, the October 2024 report from the DoJ found, and more than the number prosecuted under the Trump administration.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
Trump has also gone after those prosecuting him, suggesting Smith should be arrested and calling him a criminal.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prosecute 
Dictionary Entries Near prosecute
Cite this Entry
“Prosecute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prosecute. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prosecute
verb
Legal Definition
prosecute
verb
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 17(a)Latin prosecutus, past participle of prosequi to pursue
Share