persecution

American  

[pur-si-kyoo-shuhn] / ˌpɜr sɪˈkju ʃən /

noun

• persecutions
  plural

1. the act of persecuting.

2. the state of being persecuted.

3. a program or campaign to exterminate, drive away, or subjugate people based on their membership in a religious, ethnic, social, or racial group.

   the persecutions of Christians by the Romans.

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persecution British  

/ ˌpɜːsɪˈkjuːʃən /

noun

1. the act of persecuting or the state of being persecuted

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Usage

What does persecution mean? Persecution is the act of harassing or oppressing a person or a group of people, especially because of their identity. Throughout history, people have faced persecution because of their religion, race, ethnicity, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and many other factors. Example: People have been using the forum to call attention to the ongoing persecution of Muslims.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonpersecution
  noun
• persecutional
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• persecutions
  plural

Etymology

Origin of persecution

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English persecucio(u)n, from Late Latin persecūtiōn-, stem of persecūtiō (in Latin: “prosecution”), from Latin persecūt(us) “followed thoroughly, prosecuted” (past participle of persequī “to follow thoroughly, prosecute”; see persecute) + -iō -ion

Explanation

Persecution is unfair or abusive treatment toward a person or group of people, such as the persecution of someone who is different by calling him or her rude names and making threats. The noun persecution is related to persecute, which comes from Latin persecut-, meaning “followed with hostility.” Persecution means hassling or singling out a person or group because of race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, or social status. In many schools, the persecution of students by bullies has resulted in a zero-tolerance policy for such despicable behavior.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

persecution persecutions

The Roman emperor ended the persecution of Christians.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026

“While the government withheld funding in defiance of its obligations, children were left to face deportation proceedings alone, and some potentially returned to the very abuse, persecution, and danger they fled,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026

But more than 20 charities in both countries have said the French-British deal inflicts "further harm on people who have already survived war, torture, persecution, violence, human trafficking, and a treacherous sea journey".

From Barron's ● Aug. 5, 2026

Lewisham became a 'Borough of Sanctuary', in recognition of the borough's work in supporting those fleeing violence and persecution, in 2021 under the previous Labour administration.

From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026

That was saying something in light of Hitler’s rise in Europe, the Nazi persecution of Jews, the New England hurricane, the business and employment slump, and the war between China and Japan.

From "Spooked!" by Gail Jarrow

“I think of Germany, Hitler and the persecutions there, I thought that was just history,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 20, 2025

“Have the merciless persecutions and unutterable tortures of the dark ages not yet opened their eyes and enlarged their heart for the alleviation of their fellow men’s woes?”

From Slate ● Apr. 10, 2025

However, in the Commons on Tuesday, Sir Iain said the video was "not a very welcome statement to have made" given the "persecutions that have taken place in Afghanistan".

From BBC ● Jul. 18, 2023

What may help reduce the persecutions, as in South Africa, is providing pensions to the elderly, which appears to confer social protection.

From Scientific American ● May 31, 2023

Since I know it is all for Christ's good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

Related Words

• expulsion
• ill-treatment
• imprisonment
• killing
• maltreatment
• massacre
• mistreatment
• murder
• oppression
• torture