persecute
verb (used with object)
to pursue with harassing or oppressive treatment, especially because of religious or political beliefs, ethnic or racial origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
have been persecuting
-
present perfect progressiveof persecute.present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“If you have this paranoid streak, this vigilance, this sense that others have been persecuting you for years, there’s an accumulation of maltreatment and an intense urge to stop that persecution,” Meloy said.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 9, 2017
“If you have this paranoid streak, this vigilance, this sense that others have been persecuting you for years, there’s an accumulation of maltreatment and an intense urge to stop that persecution,” Dr. Meloy said.
From New York Times ● Nov. 8, 2017
"For days now you have been persecuting me and I am convinced that it is for a purpose."
From Before the Dawn A Story of the Fall of Richmond by Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander) Altsheler
And he is the man you have been persecuting ever since he came to this place.
From The Unknown Wrestler by H. A. (Hiram Alfred) Cody
It seems that he had caused the apprehension and execution of a Confederate spy, and ever since then, he states, the relatives and friends of this man have been persecuting him.
From Studies in Forensic Psychiatry by Bernard Glueck
