persecute

[ pur-si-kyoot ]
See synonyms for: persecutepersecutedpersecutor on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),per·se·cut·ed, per·se·cut·ing.
  1. to pursue with harassing or oppressive treatment, especially because of religious or political beliefs, ethnic or racial origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

  2. to annoy or trouble persistently.

Origin of persecute

1
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

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

Words Nearby persecute

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use persecute in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for persecute

persecute

/ (ˈpɜːsɪˌkjuːt) /


verb(tr)
  1. to oppress, harass, or maltreat, esp because of race, religion, etc

  2. to bother persistently

Origin of persecute

1
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