persecute
verb (used with object)
to pursue with harassing or oppressive treatment, especially because of religious or political beliefs, ethnic or racial origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
persecutes
-
present tense formof persecute (3rd person singular).present tense
Used to describe things happening now or regularly.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It must send an unequivocal message that the United States will not supply weapons to military and security services whose leadership persecutes journalists and activists.
From Slate ● Feb. 26, 2021
While Emperor Domitian persecutes the Christians, the aged apostle John has prophetic visions.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 8, 2019
In the Bible, Saul persecutes Christians before he has a conversion experience on the road to Damascus and becomes the apostle Paul.
From The New Yorker ● Sep. 11, 2018
When Americans hear about “tribalism,” they often imagine a faraway land where one ethnic or religious faction mercilessly persecutes another for generations.
From New York Times ● Jun. 26, 2018
Indeed the Doctor persecutes the name of Theobald with the most rancorous spirit of revenge.
From Deformities of Samuel Johnson, Selected from his Works by Anonymous
