prosecutor

noun

pros·​e·​cu·​tor ˈprä-si-ˌkyü-tər How to pronounce prosecutor (audio)
Synonyms of prosecutornext
1
: a person who institutes a prosecution before a court
2
: prosecuting attorney

Examples of prosecutor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Minnesota prosecutors allege Castro fired through the front door of a Minneapolis home, striking Sosa-Celis while six people, including two children, were inside. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026 Minnesota prosecutors said the officer then falsely accused Sosa-Celis and another man of attacking an ICE officer with a broom handle and a snow shovel. — Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026 But prosecutors rejected those requests, saying police failed to provide sufficient grounds for his arrest and failed to comply with prosecutors' demand for further investigation of Bang. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026 The judge then dismissed the charge at the request of prosecutors, and the jury subsequently reached a not-guilty verdict on a less serious charge of criminally negligent homicide. — Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prosecutor

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of prosecutor was in 1593

Rhymes for prosecutor

See All Rhymes for prosecutor

Browse Nearby Words

prosecution
prosecutor
prosecutorial
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Cite this Entry

“Prosecutor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prosecutor. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

prosecutor

noun
pros·​e·​cu·​tor ˈpräs-i-ˌkyüt-ər How to pronounce prosecutor (audio)
: a person (as a district attorney) who prosecutes especially a criminal case as lawyer for the state

Legal Definition

prosecutor

noun
pros·​e·​cu·​tor ˈprä-si-ˌkyü-tər How to pronounce prosecutor (audio)
1
: a person who institutes a prosecution (as by making an affidavit or complaint charging the defendant)
2
: a government attorney who presents the state's case against the defendant in a criminal prosecution

More from Merriam-Webster on prosecutor

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for prosecutor

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about prosecutor

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