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Anglais

prosecution

gb/pɹˌɑsəkjˈuʃən/ us/pɹˌɑsəkjˈuʃən/
B2 Anglais
~ 7900
Sens
0 sens
Nom formal B2 event
1

Legal process of trying someone

The official legal process when the state says someone did a crime and takes them to court.

Schéma d’usage : the prosecution of [someone] for [crime]
Erreur fréquente :
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.
Synonymes
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.)
Antonymes
acquittal (Refers to a decision that someone is not guilty, which ends or defeats the prosecution.)
Collocations
criminal prosecution |face prosecution |prosecution for [crime] |prosecution of [offender] |private prosecution |prosecution service
Thèmes
law |government |crime
Exemples
  • He now faces prosecution for tax evasion after a two‑year investigation.
  • The new law increases penalties for the prosecution of hate crimes.
  • 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
  • He is afraid of prosecution for stealing the car.
  • The police said there was not enough evidence for prosecution.
  • 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.
Nom formal C1 entity
2

Lawyers bringing the criminal case

The lawyers in a criminal case who speak for the state and try to show that the person did the crime.

Schéma d’usage : the prosecution [verb] [someone/something]
Erreur fréquente :
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.
Synonymes
prosecutors (Refers directly to the people (the lawyers); "the prosecution" can also include their whole side and its case.)
Antonymes
the defense (The opposing side in a trial that argues the accused is not guilty, the opposite role to the prosecution.)
Collocations
the prosecution |prosecution witness |prosecution case |prosecution lawyer |prosecution counsel |for the prosecution
Thèmes
law |government |crime
Exemples
  • The prosecution called its final witness to the stand.
  • During cross‑examination, the judge warned the prosecution to stick to the facts.
  • 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
  • The prosecution asked the witness many questions.
  • The judge listened to the prosecution and the defense.
  • 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.
Nom formal C2 action
3

Pursuit or conduct of an activity

The planned, active way that a group continues and carries out a big activity, like a war or a campaign.

Schéma d’usage : the prosecution of [activity]
Erreur fréquente :
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".
Synonymes
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.)
Antonymes
abandonment (Describes stopping or giving up an activity, the opposite of continued prosecution of it.)
Collocations
prosecution of the war |prosecution of the campaign |vigorous prosecution of [policy] |in the prosecution of [duties]
Thèmes
work |politics |military |core_vocabulary
Exemples
  • The effective prosecution of the war depended on a steady supply of fuel and ammunition.
  • The board demanded a more vigorous prosecution of the company’s growth strategy.
  • 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
  • Good planning is important for the prosecution of a long campaign.
  • The president promised the strong prosecution of the war.
  • 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.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
prosecution
API
GB/pɹˌɑsəkjˈuʃən/
US/pɹˌɑsəkjˈuʃən/
Syllabes et accentuation
pro - sec - u - tion (4 syllabes)
Stress on 3rd syllable (u)
Formes du mot
Noun
  • Base: prosecution
  • Plural: prosecution, prosecutions
Famille de mots
Forms
prosecutions noun
Core family
prosecute verb C1 prosecutor noun B2
Related words
prosecutorial adjective
Negative and opposite forms
defense noun B1 defend verb B1
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.

Exemples
  • 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.

Exemples
  • 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.

Exemples
  • 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.
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