persecute
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
1Other 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
- 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 BeastBy 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.
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 PostIt 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.
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 BEASTNot 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 BEASTYet one of the things it has oppressed is the desire of local majorities to persecute local minorities.
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 BEASTWe 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 BEASTSeeing that this would not be conceded, he commenced to persecute Christians openly and secretly.
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 | VariousThou shalt persecute them in anger, and shalt destroy them from under the heavens, O Lord.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version | VariousThey will make such an uproar that the cabinet will persecute the philosophers and block the Parliament.
Balsamo, The Magician | Alexander DumasThe 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
/ (ˈpɜːsɪˌkjuːt) /
to oppress, harass, or maltreat, esp because of race, religion, etc
to bother persistently
Origin of persecute
1Derived 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
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