prosecutor

noun

pros·​e·​cu·​tor ˈprä-si-ˌkyü-tər How to pronounce prosecutor (audio)
Synonyms of prosecutornext
1
: a person who institutes a prosecution before a court
2
: prosecuting attorney

Examples of prosecutor in a Sentence

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.
Former Chihuahua prosecutor César Jáuregui was accused of illegally launching a joint operation with the CIA to dismantle a drug lab in northern Mexico without telling the federal government. — ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026 According to Jáuregui’s defense team, the federal prosecutor’s office said the agents were close to the person who led the operation, the Chihuahua investigations chief who was one of two deceased Mexicans. — María Verza, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026 Mann said he’s visited about 70 of the state’s counties during his campaign, talking to law enforcement and prosecutors. — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2026 Over 70 women came forward to investigators, reporting harrowing accounts of the brothers’ attacks, prosecutors said in their sentencing memo. — Kara Scannell, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prosecutor

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of prosecutor was in 1593

Rhymes for prosecutor

See All Rhymes for prosecutor

Browse Nearby Words

prosecution
prosecutor
prosecutorial
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

prosecutor

noun
pros·​e·​cu·​tor ˈpräs-i-ˌkyüt-ər How to pronounce prosecutor (audio)
: a person (as a district attorney) who prosecutes especially a criminal case as lawyer for the state

Legal Definition

prosecutor

noun
pros·​e·​cu·​tor ˈprä-si-ˌkyü-tər How to pronounce prosecutor (audio)
1
: a person who institutes a prosecution (as by making an affidavit or complaint charging the defendant)
2
: a government attorney who presents the state's case against the defendant in a criminal prosecution

More from Merriam-Webster on prosecutor

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for prosecutor

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about prosecutor

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