persecute
verb
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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.
Examples of persecute in a Sentence
Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 May 2025
During its reign of terror, the Ustaše regime persecuted and murdered hundreds of thousands of Serbs, Jews and Roma, as well as Croatians opposed to their rule.
—Larry Luxner, Sun Sentinel, 5 May 2025
Individuals who receive asylum have demonstrated they have been persecuted — or will likely be persecuted — because of their religion, race, social status or political opinions if returned to their country of origin.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2025
Also called the Law of Democratic Memory, the ley de nietos, set to expire October 21, 2025, grants descendants of Spaniards persecuted during the Spanish Civil War and subsequent Francisco Franco dictatorship a path to Spanish citizenship.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for persecute
Cite this Entry
“Persecute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/persecute. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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persecute
verb
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