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View synonyms for

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: , ,
  2. to annoy or trouble persistently.

    Synonyms: , , , ,


persecute

/ ˈɜːɪˌː /

verb

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

  2. to bother persistently

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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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
  • ˈˌܳٴǰ noun
  • ˈˌܳپ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of persecute1

First recorded in 1400–50; Late Middle English; back formation from persecutour “persecutor,” ultimately from Late Latin ūٴǰ originally “prosecutor,” equivalent to ū-, variant stem of ī “to prosecute, pursue closely” + -tor; per-, sequence, -tor
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Word History and Origins

Origin of persecute1

C15: from Old French persecuter, back formation from persecuteur, from Late Latin ūٴǰ pursuer, from ī to take vengeance upon
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Because he was unjustly persecuted for his identity and perceived as “different,” when he realized he was different in another way, he kept it close to his chest.

From

This was followed by last month's infamous Oval Office showdown when Trump ambushed Ramaphosa with a video and printouts of stories alleging white people were being persecuted – much of his dossier has been discredited.

From

During the political event, she alleged her family “was persecuted by rogue prosecutors in Fulton County due to our public profile ... and our conservative beliefs.”

From

Trump called Jenkins a "wonderful person" who was persecuted by "Radical Left monsters" and "left for dead".

From

But the talk of trade was overshadowed by Trump's Oval Office ambush over discredited claims that white South Africans were being persecuted.

From

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