persecute

verb

per·​se·​cute ˈpər-si-ˌkyüt 

persecuted; persecuting

transitive verb

1

: to harass or punish in a manner designed to injure, grieve, or afflict

specifically : to cause to suffer because of belief

2

: to annoy with persistent or urgent approaches (such as attacks, pleas, or importunities) : pester

persecutee

ˌpər-si-ˌkyü-ˈtē 

noun

persecutive

ˈpər-si-ˌkyü-tiv 

adjective

persecutor

ˈpər-si-ˌkyü-tər 

noun

persecutory

ˈpər-si-kyü-ˌtȯr-ē 

-ˌkyü-tə-rē

adjective

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Prosecute vs. Persecute

Take care to distinguish between prosecuted and persecuted, although we sincerely hope that neither word applies to you. Persecute typically has a small range of meanings, such as “to harass or punish in a manner designed to injure, grieve, or afflict.” Although the word is occasionally found in dialectal use to mean “prosecute,” many usage guides consider this to be an error. Prosecute is generally found today in a legal context (“to bring legal action against for redress or punishment of a crime or violation of law”), although the word may also be used to mean “to follow to the end” or “to engage in.” If someone is prosecuted they are being tried in a court of law; if they are persecuted they are being targeted and harassed.

Synonyms

• afflict
• agonize
• anguish
• bedevil
• beset
• besiege
• curse
• excruciate
• harrow
• plague
• rack
• torment
• torture

Choose the Right Synonym for persecute

wrong, oppress, persecute, aggrieve mean to injure unjustly or outrageously.

wrong implies inflicting injury either unmerited or out of proportion to what one deserves.

a penal system that had wronged him

oppress suggests inhumane imposing of burdens one cannot endure or exacting more than one can perform.

a people oppressed by a warmongering tyrant

persecute implies a relentless and unremitting subjection to annoyance or suffering.

a child persecuted by constant criticism

aggrieve implies suffering caused by an infringement or denial of rights.

a legal aid society representing aggrieved minority groups

Examples of persecute in a Sentence

The country's leaders relentlessly persecuted those who fought against the regime.

They were persecuted for their beliefs.

Recent Examples on the Web

Even as the government persecutes feminists—journalist and #MeToo activist Huang Xueqin was put on trial last September—translations of Ueno’s books, with topics including feminism and misogyny, have become best sellers. —TIME, 17 Apr. 2024

Trump denies the claims, including the alleged affair, and says he's being politically persecuted, which the district attorney rejects. —Gabriella Abdul-Hakim, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2024

Christian groups contacted by Fox News Digital say the faithful are being persecuted, killed and displaced in 28 countries on the continent. —Paul Tilsley, Fox News, 14 Apr. 2024

Minorities, especially the country’s 200 million Muslims, say they have been persecuted under the BJP’s Hindu-nationalist policies. —Helen Regan, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024

The article was noticed by the mainstream press—the Boston Globe profiled the students who wrote it—and also by conservative outlets, a few of which implied that Christian educators were being persecuted. —Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2024

For another, Muslims persecuted because of their faith, for instance the Ahmadiyya and Shiites of Pakistan, do not make the cut for Indian citizenship. —Sameer Yasir, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024

Still, this photo generation was the latest in a series of awkward efforts — including claiming he’s being persecuted in the legal system — by Trump, his campaign and his supporters to try to show a connection with Black voters. —Curtis Bunn, NBC News, 8 Mar. 2024

Though antisemitism existed, the Jewish community was not actively persecuted. —Theo Zenou, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French persecuter, back-formation from persecuteur persecutor, from Late Latin persecutor, from persequi to persecute, from Latin, to pursue, from per- through + sequi to follow — more at sue

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

persecute

verb

per·​se·​cute ˈpər-si-ˌkyüt 

persecuted; persecuting

1

: to treat continually in a way meant to be cruel or harmful

especially : to cause to suffer because of belief

2

: annoy, pester

persecutor

-ˌkyüt-ər 

noun

persecutory

-kyü-ˌtōr-ē 

-ˌtȯr-

adjective