The state attorney decided to prosecute the company for violating environmental regulations by dumping toxic waste into the river.
州检察官决定起诉该公司违反环境法规，向河中倾倒有毒废物。
Which choice best defines “prosecute”?
D — Take legal action against. “prosecute” means take legal action against.
Which word means “take legal action against”?
B — prosecute. “prosecute” means take legal action against.
prosecute — take legal action against. In Chinese: 起诉，检举.
prosecute is pronounced /ˈprɑːsɪkjuːt/.
The state attorney decided to prosecute the company for violating environmental regulations by dumping toxic waste into the river. (州检察官决定起诉该公司违反环境法规，向河中倾倒有毒废物。)
sue, indict, charge — all close in meaning to prosecute (take legal action against).
defend, acquit — each the opposite of prosecute (take legal action against).
Yes. prosecute is on the SAT Prep Easy list — mid-frequency academic words that do get tested. The Digital SAT does not test vocabulary in isolation; words like this one are tested through Words in Context questions, where you choose the word that completes a passage most logically and precisely.
pro(before)+secute(follow)