persecuted

American  

[pur-si-kyoo-tid] / ˈpɜr sɪˌkyu 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

She persecuted law firms and universities and journalists.

From Slate • Apr. 3, 2026

Some had been granted the opportunity to stay after proving to immigration judges that they would probably be persecuted if returned to their homeland.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 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

Wherever men and women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must—at that moment—become the center of the universe.

From "Night" by Elie Wiesel

Related Words

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