persecute

[ pur-si-kyoot ]

See synonyms for: persecute persecuted persecutor on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),per·se·cut·ed, per·se·cut·ing.

to pursue with harassing or oppressive treatment, especially because of religious or political beliefs, ethnic or racial origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
to annoy or trouble persistently.

Origin of persecute

First recorded in 1400–50; Late Middle English; back formation from persecutour “persecutor,” ultimately from Late Latin persecūtor originally “prosecutor,” equivalent to persecū-, variant stem of persequī “to prosecute, pursue closely” + -tor; see origin at per-, sequence, -tor

Other words for persecute

1	afflict, torture, torment
2	worry, badger, vex, bother, pester

See synonyms for persecute on Thesaurus.com

Other words from persecute

per·se·cut·ing·ly, adverb
per·se·cu·tive, adjective
per·se·cu·tive·ness, noun
per·se·cu·tor, noun
per·se·cu·to·ry [pur-si-kyoo-tuh-ree, -kyuh-tawr-ee], /ˈpɜr sɪˌkyu tə ri, -kyəˌtɔr i/, adjective
non·per·se·cut·ing, adjective
non·per·se·cu·tive, adjective
non·per·se·cu·to·ry, adjective
o·ver·per·se·cute, verb (used with object), o·ver·per·se·cut·ed, o·ver·per·se·cut·ing.
un·per·se·cut·ing, adjective
un·per·se·cu·tive, adjective

Words that may be confused with persecute

persecute , prosecute

Words Nearby persecute

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use persecute in a sentence

That said, most people who may be persecuted in some way—including LGBTQI people—will not have an opportunity to flee.
‘It’s a Death Sentence’: LGBTQ Afghans Fight for Their Lives | Tim Teeman | August 26, 2021 | The Daily Beast
By using the technology to wire money in the form of a cryptocurrency to persecuted activists or by using it to fund protests — and avoiding capitalist banks and companies in the process.
Who Are You Calling a Communist? | Charu Kasturi | August 24, 2021 | Ozy
Gosar called them “political prisoners” who are being “persecuted” and unjustly punished before trial.
D.C. jail officials turn away GOP members of Congress who showed up to check on Jan. 6 suspects | Meagan Flynn | July 29, 2021 | Washington Post
It was a great relief to know that they were victorious in this whole process and that finally no one else will persecute them for loving another man.
Locked up in the Land of Liberty: Part II | Michael K. Lavers | July 14, 2021 | Washington Blade
The state-run China Daily’s “Key Moments from 100 Years” bears no mention of the tens of millions who starved to death in the Great Leap Forward, nor those persecuted during the Cultural Revolution.
At Centenary Celebrations, Xi Jinping Says China’s Success Rests on the Communist Party. But In Reality, It’s All About Him | Charlie Campbell / Shanghai | July 1, 2021 | Time

Putin would use such a treaty to persecute innocent Russians who have escaped his grasp by fleeing the country.
Putin Toys With Obama as Syria Burns and Snowden Runs Free | Garry Kasparov | July 2, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Not because I think that Obama called Doug Shulman into his office to tell him to persecute the Tea Party.
Boy, the Head of the IRS Went to the White House A Lot | Megan McArdle | May 30, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Yet one of the things it has oppressed is the desire of local majorities to persecute local minorities.
Religious Minorities: Wisely Skeptical of Democracy | David Frum | May 8, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
But, then, lacking a solid core, projectors like Gingrich secretly lust after the identities of the people they persecute.
Republican Debate: Why Newt Gingrich’s Performance Should Disqualify Him | Lee Siegel | January 21, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
We are also keenly aware of the fact that states routinely use a wide range of charges to persecute the press.
Has the Committee to Protect Journalists Betrayed Turkey's Journalists? | Oray Egin | December 21, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST
Seeing that this would not be conceded, he commenced to persecute Christians openly and secretly.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624 | Various
The Gentiles shall seek and find Christ, but the Jews will persecute him, and be rejected, only a remnant shall be reserved.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version | Various
Thou shalt persecute them in anger, and shalt destroy them from under the heavens, O Lord.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version | Various
They will make such an uproar that the cabinet will persecute the philosophers and block the Parliament.
Balsamo, The Magician | Alexander Dumas
The government had just ability enough to deceive, and just religion enough to persecute.
English: Composition and Literature | W. F. (William Franklin) Webster

British Dictionary definitions for persecute

persecute

/ (ˈpɜːsɪˌkjuːt) /

verb(tr)

to oppress, harass, or maltreat, esp because of race, religion, etc
to bother persistently

Origin of persecute

C15: from Old French persecuter, back formation from persecuteur, from Late Latin persecūtor pursuer, from persequī to take vengeance upon

Derived forms of persecute

persecutive, adjective
persecutor, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Browse