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Definitions

prosecute

[pros-i-kyoot] / ˈprɒs ɪˌkyut /
VERB
bring action against in court
Synonyms
STRONGEST
arraign indict litigate sue summon try
STRONG
contest do
WEAK
bring suit bring to trial haul into court involve in litigation law prefer charges pull up put away put on docket put on trial see in court seek redress take to court turn on the heat
Antonyms
STRONGEST
exonerate
WEAK
cease free halt liberate pardon stop
VERB
follow through, persevere
Synonyms
STRONGEST
conduct engage in execute pursue
STRONG
continue direct discharge manage perform persist practice wage
WEAK
carry on carry through follow up put through see through work at
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ignore leave
STRONG
cease fail halt mismanage neglect stop
WEAK
exonerate free liberate pardon

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Her response to questions about the DOJ’s failure to prosecute Epstein’s accomplices with the statement “the Dow is over $50,000 right now” became an immediate punch line.

From Slate • Apr. 2, 2026

The DOJ routinely declines to prosecute cases for any number of reasons, including insufficient evidence or because a case is not a priority for enforcement.

From Salon • Apr. 1, 2026

Nigeria's First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, who has roots in Delta state, condemned the alleged assaults and urged security agencies to prosecute all offenders.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

Cambodian authorities have vowed to stamp out the business by the end of next month, vowing to prosecute low-level scammers, bosses and landlords of scam sites alike.

From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026

“You mean to prosecute the Times?” asked Nixon.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.