persecute

[pur-si-kyoot]

verb (used with object)

persecuted, persecuting 

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

   Synonyms: torment, torture, afflict

2. to annoy or trouble persistently.

   Synonyms: pester, bother, vex, badger, worry

persecute

/ ˈpɜːsɪˌkjuːt /

verb

1. to oppress, harass, or maltreat, esp because of race, religion, etc

2. to bother persistently

Other Word Forms

• persecutingly adverb
• persecutive adjective
• persecutiveness noun
• persecutor noun
• persecutory adjective
• nonpersecuting adjective
• nonpersecutive adjective
• nonpersecutory adjective
• overpersecute verb (used with object)
• unpersecuting adjective
• unpersecutive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of persecute¹

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; per-, sequence, -tor

Word History and Origins

Origin of persecute¹

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

Example Sentences

"Let us protect religious liberty," he told the UN, "including for the most persecuted religion on the planet today – it's called Christianity."

From BBC

My grandparents knew first hand what it was to be persecuted for who you were and what you thought or said.

From BBC

"The answer, we know from the Gospel, is love and always love. Love for our enemies, and love for those who persecute us."

From BBC

The ADF emerged in Uganda in the 1990s, accusing the government there of persecuting Muslims.

From BBC

US Citizenship and Immigration Services spokesman Matthew J. Tragesser says US asylum law protects a "very limited number of persecuted aliens".

From BBC

Related Words

• expel 
• harass 
• hound 
• injure 
• maltreat 
• molest 
• oppress 
• outrage 
• pick on 
• pursue 
• torture 
• victimize