prosecution
gb/pɹˌɑsəkjˈuʃən/ us/pɹˌɑsəkjˈuʃən/
B2
Inglês
~ 7900
Aceções
0 aceções
Nome
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.
Padrão de uso:
the prosecution of [someone] for [crime]
Erro comum:
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.
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
acquittal (Refers to a decision that someone is not guilty, which ends or defeats the prosecution.)
Colocações
criminal prosecution
|face prosecution
|prosecution for [crime]
|prosecution of [offender]
|private prosecution
|prosecution service
Temas
law
|government
|crime
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- 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.
Nome
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.
Padrão de uso:
the prosecution [verb] [someone/something]
Erro comum:
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.
Sinónimos
prosecutors (Refers directly to the people (the lawyers); "the prosecution" can also include their whole side and its case.)
Antónimos
the defense (The opposing side in a trial that argues the accused is not guilty, the opposite role to the prosecution.)
Colocações
the prosecution
|prosecution witness
|prosecution case
|prosecution lawyer
|prosecution counsel
|for the prosecution
Temas
law
|government
|crime
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- 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.
Nome
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.
Padrão de uso:
the prosecution of [activity]
Erro comum:
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".
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
abandonment (Describes stopping or giving up an activity, the opposite of continued prosecution of it.)
Colocações
prosecution of the war
|prosecution of the campaign
|vigorous prosecution of [policy]
|in the prosecution of [duties]
Temas
work
|politics
|military
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- 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.
Gramática
Forma de dicionário
prosecution
IPA
GB/pɹˌɑsəkjˈuʃən/
US/pɹˌɑsəkjˈuʃən/
Sílabas e acento
pro - sec - u - tion (4 sílabas)
Stress on 3rd syllable (u)
Formas da palavra
Noun
- Base: prosecution
- Plural: prosecution, prosecutions
Família de palavras
Forms
prosecutions
noun
Core family
prosecute
verb C1
prosecutor
noun B2
Related words
prosecutorial
adjective
Advanced or less common
prosecutable
adjective
Expressões
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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.