prosecution

noun

pros·​e·​cu·​tion ˌprä-si-ˈkyü-shən How to pronounce prosecution (audio)
Synonyms of prosecution
1
: the act or process of prosecuting
specifically : the institution and continuance of a criminal suit involving the process of pursuing formal charges against an offender to final judgment
2
: the party by whom criminal proceedings are instituted or conducted
3
obsolete : pursuit

Synonyms of prosecution

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Examples of prosecution in a Sentence

There has been an increase in prosecutions for gun-related crimes. The defendant is awaiting prosecution. The prosecution called their first witness. The prosecution rests, Your Honor. The defense told the jury that the prosecution had not proved its case.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Bill Essayli, the top federal prosecutor in Los Angeles, said that the clerks who didn't comply with the government's demands could face prosecution as well. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026 The Department of Justice’s prosecution of a Saudi national for allegedly bugging an OpenAI conference room is causing anxiety among OpenAI employees, many of whom are foreign nationals. — Benjamin Guggenheim, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026 California’s system appears to rely mostly on trust, with the threat of prosecution. — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026 Vance then had Attorney General Todd Blanche and other top officials give more details on multiple recent SNAP theft prosecutions. — Eli Hager, ProPublica, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prosecution

Word History

First Known Use

1545, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of prosecution was in 1545

Phrases Containing prosecution

Rhymes for prosecution

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Browse Nearby Words

prosecuting attorney
prosecution
prosecutor
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Cite this Entry

“Prosecution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prosecution. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

prosecution

noun
pros·​e·​cu·​tion ˌpräs-i-ˈkyü-shən How to pronounce prosecution (audio)
1
: the act or process of prosecuting
especially : the bringing and continuance of a criminal case
2
: the one bringing charges of crime against a person being tried
especially : the state's lawyers in a criminal case

Legal Definition

prosecution

noun
pros·​e·​cu·​tion ˌprä-si-ˈkyü-shən How to pronounce prosecution (audio)
1
: the act or process of prosecuting
especially : the institution and carrying on of a criminal action involving the process of seeking formal charges against a person and pursuing those charges to final judgment
2
: the party by whom criminal proceedings are instituted or conducted compare defense sense 3, plaintiff

More from Merriam-Webster on prosecution

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about prosecution

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