persecution

noun per·se·cu·tion \ ˌpər-si-ˈkyü-shən \

Definition of persecution

1 : the act or practice of persecuting especially those who differ in origin, religion, or social outlook

2 : the condition of being persecuted, harassed, or annoyed

Recent Examples of persecution from the Web

After filling out a questionnaire with the help of an interpreter, an interview may follow where the applicant seeking protection will have to prove a well founded fear of persecution.

— nikos chrysoloras, Bloomberg.com, "How to Get Asylum in Belgium: A Guide for Separatists on the Run," 31 Oct. 2017
Unlike most extradition agreements, the EAW explicitly rules out the possibility of an asylum claim on the grounds of political persecution.

— geoffrey smith, Fortune, "Catalonia's Leader Flees to Brussels As His Party Fights on for Independence," 30 Oct. 2017
Maybe all that betraying and bribing and promise-breaking and sympathy for baby-killers and persecution of conservatives has somehow co-existed with votes for conservative legislation.

— ed kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "Right-Wing Leaders Call for Mitch McConnell’s Head on a Spike," 11 Oct. 2017
Yet that early sticking point in Suburbicon never comes unstuck: the use of white supremacist threat as a mere red herring, and the ongoing persecution of a black family as an ongoing sideshow to wackier goings-on elsewhere.

— guy lodge, HWD, "Venice Review: George Clooney’s Satire Suburbicon Strikes at America’s Dark Heart," 2 Sep. 2017
Maryam was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia at age 4, when her family was seeking refuge from religious persecution in Turkey, said Maryam's mother, Asmaa Rasheed.

— kristen jordan shamus, Detroit Free Press, "First gene therapy to treat cancer gets FDA approval; U-M only Michigan hospital to use it," 31 Aug. 2017
The bomber, Brussel continued, was afflicted by a sense of persecution caused in the formative stages of his gender development, roughly ages 3 to 6.

— michael cannell, Smithsonian, "Unmasking the Mad Bomber," 29 Apr. 2017
The monuments here tell stories, of Confederate soldiers, of disappointed lovers, of Nazi persecution, of tragedy, of wealth.

— CBS News, "The ghostly beauty of Savannah's Bonaventure Cemetery," 29 Oct. 2017
When Scout's teacher, Miss Gates, expresses outrage at developments in Germany: Hitler and his henchmen are increasing their persecution of Jews.

— Alaska Dispatch News, "Readers write: Letters to the editor, August 20, 2017," 20 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'persecution.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of persecution

14th century

PERSECUTION Defined for Kids

persecution

noun per·se·cu·tion \ ˌpər-si-ˈkyü-shən \

Definition of persecution for Students

1 : the act of continually treating in a cruel and harmful way

2 : the state of being continually treated in a cruel and harmful way

Law Dictionary

persecution

noun per·se·cu·tion

legal Definition of persecution

: punishment or harassment usually of a severe nature on the basis of race, religion, or political opinion in one's country of origin

claimed persecution and sought asylum

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See words that rhyme with persecution Spanish Central: Translation of persecution Nglish: Translation of persecution for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of persecution for Arabic speakers

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persecution

Definition of persecution

Recent Examples of persecution from the Web

First Known Use of persecution

PERSECUTION Defined for Kids

persecution

Definition of persecution for Students

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persecution

legal Definition of persecution

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persecution

Definition of persecution

Recent Examples of persecution from the Web

First Known Use of persecution

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persecution

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persecution

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