WordValeprosecution
the party conducting a criminal case against the accused
In more detail
1. (noun) the act of taking legal action against someone in court, or the lawyers and officials who do this
2. (noun) the side in a legal case that brings charges against the defendant
Examples
- 1. The prosecution of the criminals took several months.
- 2. The prosecution presented evidence that the defendant was guilty.
How to use prosecution
Prosecution refers both to the formal legal process of charging someone with a crime and to the party representing the state or plaintiff in a case. It is used primarily in criminal contexts, though it can appear in civil law. The term is neutral and formal, commonly used in legal, journalistic, and official contexts.
Common phrases
- bring a prosecution
- face prosecution
- prosecution witness
- prosecution case
- pursue a prosecution
- drop a prosecution
Synonyms
legal action · lawsuit · court case · indictment · suit
Opposites
defense · acquittal
Word family
prosecute (verb) · prosecutor (noun) · prosecutorial (adjective)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse prosecution with persecution; prosecution is legal action, while persecution means systematic harassment or oppression based on identity.
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