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

With his penchant for menacing models, black-out contact lenses and jutting shoulders, Owens is also a forever torchbearer for different kinds of beauty, and a safe haven for people who feel persecuted for being outside the norm. —Miles Socha, Footwear News, 25 June 2025

The regimes that persecute religious minorities are also the ones that oppress women, LGBTQ people, journalists, and dissidents. —Nuri Kino, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025

In a small town in western Ireland, Jamie O’Neill is about to start secondary school, a Catholic school run by a fanatic and filled with plenty of bullies looking for someone just like Jamie to persecute. —The Know, Denver Post, 1 June 2025

President Trump’s meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa took an unexpected turn Wednesday when Trump showed a video filled with clips putting his counterpart on the spot over claims that white farmers are being persecuted in that country. —Brett Samuels, The Hill, 21 May 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