persecute

[ pur-si-kyoot ]

/ ˈpɜr sɪˌkyut /

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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.

OTHER WORDS FOR persecute

1 afflict, torture, torment.

2 worry, badger, vex, bother, pester.

See synonyms for persecute on Thesaurus.com

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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 FROM persecute

per·se·cut·ing·ly, adverbper·se·cu·tive, adjectiveper·se·cu·tive·ness, nounper·se·cu·tor, noun

per·se·cu·to·ry

[pur-si-kyoo-tuh-ree, -kyuh-tawr-ee], /ˈpɜr sɪˌkyu tə ri, -kyəˌtɔr i/, adjectivenon·per·se·cut·ing, adjectivenon·per·se·cu·tive, adjectivenon·per·se·cu·to·ry, adjectiveo·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, adjectiveun·per·se·cu·tive, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH persecute

persecute , prosecute

Words nearby persecute

Perrysburg, Pers, persalt, per say, perse, persecute, persecuted, persecution, persecution complex, persecutory, Perseid

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

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|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|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|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|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|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

Derived forms of persecute

persecutive, adjectivepersecutor, noun

Word Origin for persecute

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

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

persecute

OTHER WORDS FOR persecute

Origin of persecute

OTHER WORDS FROM persecute

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH persecute

Words nearby persecute

Words related to persecute

How to use persecute in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for persecute

Derived forms of persecute

Word Origin for persecute