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

Did you know?

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

• plague
• afflict
• torture
• besiege

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

On the other hand, there’s room in America for Afrikaners from South Africa, the white minority of Dutch origin who claim they are being persecuted and subject to violence inflicted by the majority Black population. —Howard Simon, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 July 2025

Many noted that Superman has always been political, and that the comic series was also created by sons of Jewish immigrants in 1938 — as Hitler’s Nazi Germany was persecuting Jews. —Angela Yang, NBC news, 10 July 2025

We have been persecuted, exiled, shunned and murdered, simply for our beliefs. —Jessica Tzikas, Sun Sentinel, 10 July 2025

The European Union has spent millions to help secure the return of wolf populations that for generations were persecuted through hunting and poison baits. —Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 9 July 2025

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

Rhymes for persecute

• absolute
• arrowroot
• attribute
• bitterroot
• constitute
• convolute
• destitute
• disrepute
• dissolute
• execute
• institute
• involute

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