Definition

1. Verb (Transitive):
   • To carry out or engage in an activity, especially a course of action or profession, with sustained effort.
   • To initiate and conduct legal proceedings, especially criminal charges, against a person or entity in a court of law.

Usage

• As a verb, "prosecute" is used with a direct object.
• In a legal context, it is typically used in the passive voice when referring to the person being charged (e.g., "He was prosecuted for fraud").
• In a general context, it means to diligently pursue an activity to its completion.

Examples

• Legal Context:
  • The state decided to prosecute the company for environmental violations.
  • If the evidence is strong, the suspect will be prosecuted.
• General Context (Pursuing an Activity):
  • She prosecuted her studies with great determination. (This usage is formal and less common.)
  • The investigation was prosecuted vigorously.

Advanced Usage

• "to prosecute a war/campaign": To conduct or carry on a war or campaign.
  • The general was determined to prosecute the war to a successful conclusion.
• "to prosecute an inquiry/investigation": To follow through with an official inquiry or investigation.
  • The committee will prosecute its inquiry into the allegations.

Variants and Related Words

• Prosecution (n): 1. The act or process of prosecuting someone in a court of law. 2. The party (e.g., the state) bringing a criminal case against a defendant.
  • The prosecution presented its key witness.
• Prosecutor (n): A lawyer who conducts the case against a defendant in a criminal court.
  • The public prosecutor asked for a severe sentence.
• Prosecutorial (adj): Relating to the work of a prosecutor.
  • The decision was based on prosecutorial discretion.

Synonyms

• Sue: To institute legal proceedings against (typically in civil, not criminal, cases).
• Charge: To formally accuse someone of a crime.
• Pursue: To follow or carry out (a goal or activity).
• Conduct: To organize and carry out.

Antonyms

• Defend: To represent the accused in court.
• Drop (charges): To decide not to continue with a legal case.
• Abandon: To give up on pursuing an activity or course of action.

Phrasal Verbs / Common Collocations

• Prosecute for (something): To bring legal action against someone for a specific crime.
  • He was prosecuted for embezzlement.
• Prosecute to the full extent of the law: To apply the maximum legal penalties available.
  • The authorities vowed to prosecute the vandals to the full extent of the law.

Idioms / Common Phrases

• "Failure to prosecute": A situation where legal authorities decide not to bring a case to court, often controversially.
  • The failure to prosecute the officials led to public outrage.

Verb

1. carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in
   • She pursued many activities
   • They engaged in a discussion
2. bring a criminal action against (in a trial)
   • The State of California prosecuted O.J. Simpson
3. conduct a prosecution in a court of law