prosecution
gb/pɹˌɑsəkjˈuʃən/ us/pɹˌɑsəkjˈuʃən/
B2
English
~ 7900
büntetőeljárás, vád, ügyészség, végrehajtás, folytatás
NOUN
B2
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
the prosecution of [someone] for [crime]
He now faces prosecution for tax evasion after a two‑year investigation.
A kétéves nyomozás után most adócsalás miatt büntetőeljárás vár rá.
The new law increases penalties for the prosecution of hate crimes.
Az új törvény szigorítja a gyűlölet-bűncselekmények miatt indított büntetőeljárásokban kiszabható büntetéseket.
Fears of prosecution stopped many witnesses from coming forward.
Environmental groups have called for the prosecution of companies that dump waste illegally.
The report led to the successful prosecution of several corrupt officials.
Learner examples
He is afraid of prosecution for stealing the car.
Fél, hogy büntetőeljárás indul ellene az autó ellopása miatt.
The police said there was not enough evidence for prosecution.
A rendőrség szerint nem volt elég bizonyíték a büntetőeljárás megindításához.
After the trial, the prosecution ended with a guilty verdict.
New rules may help the prosecution of online fraud.
The company paid a fine to avoid prosecution.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "prosecution" with "persecution". "Prosecution" is a legal process when the state brings someone to court for a crime. "Persecution" means treating someone very badly over time, often because of their race, religion, or beliefs. They are not interchangeable.
Meaning
Legal process of trying someone
Collocations
criminal prosecution
|face prosecution
|prosecution for [crime]
|prosecution of [offender]
|private prosecution
|prosecution service
Synonyms
legal proceedings (More general term for any steps taken in a legal case, not only in criminal cases.)
|
criminal trial (Focuses on the court hearing itself, while "prosecution" also includes the wider legal process before trial.)
Antonyms
acquittal (Refers to a decision that someone is not guilty, which ends or defeats the prosecution.)
Themes
law
|government
|crime
Definition
The official legal process when the state says someone did a crime and takes them to court.
The official process of charging someone with a crime and conducting legal proceedings against them in a court of law.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
the prosecution [verb] [someone/something]
The prosecution called its final witness to the stand.
A vád tanúként szólította utolsó tanúját.
During cross‑examination, the judge warned the prosecution to stick to the facts.
A keresztkérdések során a bíró figyelmeztette a vádat, hogy ragaszkodjon a tényekhez.
The defense argued that the prosecution had no solid evidence.
After three days, the prosecution closed its case.
Her cousin works for the prosecution in high‑profile corruption trials.
Learner examples
The prosecution asked the witness many questions.
A vád sok kérdést tett fel a tanúnak.
The judge listened to the prosecution and the defense.
A bíró meghallgatta a vádat és a védelmet.
The prosecution said the man was at the bank during the robbery.
The prosecution showed photos from the crime scene.
The jury thought the prosecution’s case was very strong.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "prosecution" here means the whole trial. In this sense, it specifically means the side (the lawyers) trying to prove guilt, not the entire legal process. Use "the prosecution" to talk about that side, and "the trial" or "the case" to talk about the whole process.
Meaning
Lawyers bringing the criminal case
Collocations
the prosecution
|prosecution witness
|prosecution case
|prosecution lawyer
|prosecution counsel
|for the prosecution
Synonyms
prosecutors (Refers directly to the people (the lawyers); "the prosecution" can also include their whole side and its case.)
Antonyms
the defense (The opposing side in a trial that argues the accused is not guilty, the opposite role to the prosecution.)
Themes
law
|government
|crime
Definition
The lawyers in a criminal case who speak for the state and try to show that the person did the crime.
The side in a criminal case, usually representing the state, that tries to prove the accused person is guilty.
NOUN
C2
FORMAL
3
végrehajtás
B2
folytatás
B1
Usage pattern:
the prosecution of [activity]
The effective prosecution of the war depended on a steady supply of fuel and ammunition.
A háború eredményes folytatása a folyamatos üzemanyag- és lőszerellátástól függött.
The board demanded a more vigorous prosecution of the company’s growth strategy.
Az igazgatótanács a vállalat növekedési stratégiájának erőteljesebb végrehajtását követelte.
Several officers were killed in the prosecution of their duties.
Funding cuts seriously weakened the prosecution of the vaccination campaign.
Unity among member states is essential for the successful prosecution of these reforms.
Learner examples
Good planning is important for the prosecution of a long campaign.
A jó tervezés fontos egy hosszú kampány végrehajtásához.
The president promised the strong prosecution of the war.
Az elnök a háború határozott folytatását ígérte.
They raised money for the prosecution of the project.
Many people worked hard in the prosecution of the reform program.
Several workers were injured in the prosecution of their duties.
Common mistake:
Learners often expect "prosecution" to be only about law. In formal writing, it can also mean the continued carrying out of a plan or war. This use almost always appears in fixed phrases like "the prosecution of the war" or "the prosecution of their duties".
Meaning
Pursuit or conduct of an activity
Collocations
prosecution of the war
|prosecution of the campaign
|vigorous prosecution of [policy]
|in the prosecution of [duties]
Synonyms
pursuit (A broader term for trying to achieve something; "prosecution" here stresses formal, organized continuation of an activity.)
|
conduct (Focuses on how something is done; "prosecution" adds the idea of steady, often official, effort over time.)
Antonyms
abandonment (Describes stopping or giving up an activity, the opposite of continued prosecution of it.)
Themes
work
|politics
|military
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The planned, active way that a group continues and carries out a big activity, like a war or a campaign.
The continuous and organized effort to carry out a plan, activity, or war.
Grammar
Dictionary form
prosecution
IPA
GB/pɹˌɑsəkjˈuʃən/
US/pɹˌɑsəkjˈuʃən/
Syllables & stress
pro - sec - u - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (u)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: prosecution
- Plural: prosecution, prosecutions
Word family
Forms
prosecutions
noun
Core family
prosecute
verb C1
prosecutor
noun B2
Related words
prosecutorial
adjective
Advanced or less common
prosecutable
adjective
Expressions
bring a prosecution against
1/bɹˈɪŋ ə pɹˌɑsəkjˈuʃən əɡˈɛnst/
fixed phrase
formal
Start criminal legal action
To officially start a criminal case in court against a person or group.
Examples
- The authorities decided not to bring a prosecution against the driver due to lack of evidence.
- Environmental lawyers are preparing to bring a prosecution against the company for illegal dumping.
case for the prosecution
1/kˈeɪs fɚ ðə pɹˌɑsəkjˈuʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
Arguments from the prosecution side
The arguments and evidence that the state’s lawyers use to try to show that someone is guilty.
Examples
- The case for the prosecution was weakened when a key witness changed his story.
- In her view, the case for the prosecution simply did not prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
the prosecution rests
1/ðə pɹˌɑsəkjˈuʃən ɹˈɛsts/
fixed phrase
technical
Prosecution has finished its case
Used in court to say that the lawyers for the state have finished showing their evidence and arguments.
Examples
- After calling their final witness, the lead attorney stood up and said, "The prosecution rests, Your Honour."
- Once the prosecution rests, the defense can start calling its own witnesses.