prosecute
verb
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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
Ronan Farrow, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2024
Trump's constant threats to prosecute political enemies - and perhaps use the military to quell demonstrations - provoked opponents to accuse him of authoritarianism and fascism.
—David Jackson, USA TODAY, 20 Nov. 2024
The decision affirmed that only district and county attorneys — considered part of the judicial branch — can prosecute criminal cases, and said the attorney general can only assist with those efforts if districts and counties ask him for help.
—Bayliss Wagner, Austin American-Statesman, 12 Nov. 2024
Democrat Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is prosecuting top Trump allies and state Republicans.
—The Arizona Republic, 8 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 1 Dec. 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
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