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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Prosecute: Meaning, Examples, and How to Use It (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：charge in court (prosecute)

prosecute 🔊

/ˈprɑːsɪkjuːt/

to officially charge someone in a court of law because they are believed to have broken the law.

Prosecute in court: lawyer presenting case to judge

charge in court 🔊

➕

/tʃɑːrdʒ ɪn kɔːrt/

To take legal action against someone, accusing them of a crime in a court of law.

📁 Category：Laws & Regulations 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'prosequi' (pro- 'forward' + sequi 'to follow'), meaning to pursue or follow up.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a 'prosecutor' using a 'saw' (secute sounds like saw) to cut through the case in court.

📖 Example

The environmental agency decided to prosecute the company for illegally dumping waste into the river. 🔊 The environment protection authority chose to bring formal charges against the firm for unlawfully disposing of waste into the stream.

🔗 Collocations

prosecute someone for something – To bring a legal case against a person for a specific offense

decide to prosecute – To make the choice to start a criminal case

refuse to prosecute – To decline pursuing legal action against an accused person

🔄 Synonyms

indict (v.) – To formally accuse someone of a serious crime, especially in a written statement

sue (v.) – To take legal action against someone in a civil court, typically seeking compensation

charge (v.) – To formally accuse someone of an offense, often in a criminal context

🚫 Antonyms

acquit (v.) – To officially declare that someone is not guilty of a crime

defend (v.) – To represent someone in court, arguing against the charges

absolve (v.) – To formally release someone from blame or guilt

🌱 Derivatives

prosecution (n.) – The institution or process of bringing a criminal case against someone

prosecutor (n.) – A lawyer who represents the government in a criminal trial

prosecutorial (adj.) – Relating to the work or role of a prosecutor

📖 Cultural Story

Originally Latin 'prosequi' meant 'to pursue'. By the 15th century, it was used in English legal contexts for pursuing a case in court, evolving into the modern legal term 'prosecute'.

Meaning 2：carry out determinedly (prosecute)

prosecute 🔊

/ˈprɑːsɪkjuːt/

to carry out or continue with a plan, task, or activity in a determined way.

Prosecute a plan: team working determinedly on project

carry out determinedly 🔊

➕

/ˈkæri aʊt dɪˈtɜːrmɪndli/

To continue with a plan or activity until it is finished, showing strong commitment.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Advanced

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The team promised to prosecute their research plan with great energy until they found a solution. 🔊 The group vowed to execute their research scheme vigorously until a remedy was discovered.

🔗 Collocations

prosecute a plan – To carry out a plan thoroughly and persistently

prosecute a war – To continue waging a war with determination

prosecute an investigation – To pursue an inquiry with active effort

🔄 Synonyms

pursue (v.) – To follow or continue with something, especially a goal or plan

execute (v.) – To carry out a task or plan effectively

persevere (v.) – To persist in doing something despite difficulties

🚫 Antonyms

abandon (v.) – To give up on a plan or activity before completion

neglect (v.) – To fail to give proper attention to a task or duty

cease (v.) – To stop doing something, especially abruptly

🌱 Derivatives

prosecution (n.) – The act of carrying out an activity in a determined manner

prosecutor (n.) – One who pursues a plan or task with vigor (less common)