Showing results for "persecuted"

• past participle of persecute.
• past tense form of persecute.

persecuted

American  

[pur-si-kyoo-tid] / ˈpɜr sɪˌkju tɪd /

adjective

1. persistently harassed or oppressed, especially because of religious or political beliefs, ethnic or racial origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

   Having been raised in a frequently persecuted faith, the idea of any state religion makes me very nervous.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of persecute.

Other Word Forms

• unpersecuted
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of persecuted

persecute ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

persecuted

Even after 1964, when Leonid Brezhnev halted reforms, persecuted dissidents and presided over what came to be regarded as “the era of stagnation,” the arbitrary arrests of millions did not resume.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026

“I had always hoped that this land might become a safe and agreeable asylum to the virtuous and persecuted part of mankind, to whatever nation they might belong.”

From Salon ● Jul. 1, 2026

"Right now everything here is suppressed, everything is persecuted, people are sitting in prisons."

From Barron's ● Feb. 27, 2026

For years, reggaeton was persecuted on the island.

From BBC ● Feb. 10, 2026

He has been so persecuted for seeking justice in race relations I was afraid my presence anywhere near him might further jeopardize him.

From "Black Like Me" by John Howard Griffin

Related Words

• abused
• destitute
• distressed
• enslaved
• exploited
• helpless