special prosecutor: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-frequency in general discourse, but high-frequency in legal/political contexts during investigations.Formal, legal, journalistic, political.
Quick answer
What does “special prosecutor” mean?
An independent lawyer appointed to investigate and potentially prosecute a specific case, often involving government officials, where the regular justice system faces a conflict of interest.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An independent lawyer appointed to investigate and potentially prosecute a specific case, often involving government officials, where the regular justice system faces a conflict of interest.
A prosecutor with a narrowly defined mandate, operating outside the normal hierarchical chain of command, often established by executive order or judicial appointment in response to allegations of high-level misconduct.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The role is a more established and legally defined concept in the US (e.g., under now-expired independent counsel statutes). In the UK, similar functions are typically performed by ad hoc Crown Prosecutors or judicial inquiries, making the term itself less embedded in the legal lexicon.
Connotations
In the US, it is heavily politicized, historically linked to figures like Ken Starr. In the UK, it may refer more generically to a prosecutor assigned a sensitive case, with less specific cultural baggage.
Frequency
Far more common in American English due to its history of institutional use.
Grammar
How to Use “special prosecutor” in a Sentence
[Government/Attorney General] appointed [a special prosecutor] to investigate [allegations].[The special prosecutor] concluded that [no charges were warranted].Calls grew for [a special prosecutor] to be named.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “special prosecutor” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The minister resisted demands for a special prosecutor, arguing the Crown Prosecution Service was capable.
- The terms of reference for the special prosecutor were laid before Parliament.
American English
- The Attorney General decided to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the cabinet member.
- The special prosecutor's final report was highly anticipated and controversial.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in discussions of corporate scandals with government ties (e.g., 'The board feared the appointment of a special prosecutor would lead to wider scrutiny.').
Academic
Used in political science, legal studies, and public administration texts analysing checks and balances, corruption, and judicial independence.
Everyday
Used primarily in news consumption and political discussion regarding scandals or allegations against powerful figures.
Technical
A precise legal term referring to an individual appointed under specific regulations (like the former US Independent Counsel Act) to avoid conflicts of interest within the Department of Justice.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “special prosecutor”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “special prosecutor”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “special prosecutor”
- Using 'special prosecutor' interchangeably with 'district attorney'.
- Spelling 'prosecuter'.
- Confusing with 'special counsel' (a very similar, often synonymous US role).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In modern American usage, they are virtually synonymous. Historically, 'special prosecutor' was used under older statutes. 'Special counsel' is now the more common formal title (e.g., Robert Mueller was Special Counsel).
It varies by jurisdiction. In the US, historically by a panel of judges or the Attorney General. Now, the Attorney General appoints a Special Counsel. In other systems, it might be a judicial body or a government minister.
No. Their mandate is strictly limited to the specific matter for which they were appointed. They cannot expand their investigation without authorisation.
Not as a formal, standing role with that specific name. Similar functions are performed by senior barristers appointed as 'independent prosecutors' for specific cases or by the Director of Public Prosecutions assigning a sensitive case to a particular lawyer.
An independent lawyer appointed to investigate and potentially prosecute a specific case, often involving government officials, where the regular justice system faces a conflict of interest.
Special prosecutor is usually formal, legal, journalistic, political. in register.
Special prosecutor: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspɛʃ.əl ˈprɒs.ɪ.kjuː.tər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspɛʃ.əl ˈprɑː.sə.kjuː.t̬ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A special prosecutor is a political thundercloud.”
- “To appoint a special prosecutor is to uncork a bottle of uncertainty.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: SPECIAL (for a specific, unusual case) + PROSECUTOR (the person who brings legal charges). It's not the usual person for the job.
Conceptual Metaphor
LAW AS A CLEANING TOOL / A special prosecutor is a 'legal scalpel' for a politically infected wound, or an 'external auditor' for the justice system.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of appointing a special prosecutor?