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

Examples of persecution in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Once a serene landscape of fields and gardens, the neighborhood was settled by French Huguenots fleeing religious persecution during the 17th century. — Elizabeth Wellington, Vogue, "Where to Find London’s Hidden French Side," 7 Jan. 2019 An attorney for the county says the cross is one of a dozen symbols on the seal and was meant to represent the county's original settlers who were fleeing religious persecution. — Fox News, "County says cross on county seal is historical not religious," 7 Sep. 2018 Advocates counter that international law guarantees the rights of people fleeing persecution to seek asylum, and there's nothing frivolous about it. — Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN, "How one month reshaped the US immigration landscape," 3 June 2018 Related: Iraqis have fled persecution under Saddam Hussein, during the Iraq War and the subsequent rise of the Islamic State group. — Dan Sewell, Detroit Free Press, "Block Iraqi deportations, ACLU attorneys urge federal appeals court," 25 Apr. 2018 And as Johannes flees the city in an attempt to escape persecution, his sister Marin refuses to say goodbye, crumbling under the weight of her own shameful secret. — Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, "The Miniaturist Star Anya Taylor-Joy Talks Marin's Secret and This Episode's Most Shocking Scene," 17 Sep. 2018 Like refugees, asylum seekers must prove that they have been singled out for persecution because of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion. — Maria Cristina Garcia, WSJ, "How the American Asylum Bureaucracy Grew," 29 June 2018 World Refugee Day this year provided a sobering reminder of how easily the world’s great powers can turn their backs on those fleeing war, persecution and poverty. — Alf Dubs, Time, "I Fled the Nazis as a Child Refugee. Trump's Border Policy Echoes Europe's Darkest Days," 21 June 2018 Asylum is for those fleeing persecution because of their religion, political beliefs or membership in a social group, Sessions said, not fleeing crime. — Robert Moore, courant.com, "At the US border, asylum seekers fleeing violence are told to come back later," 13 June 2018

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.

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14 Jan 2019

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The first known use of persecution was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for persecution

persecution

noun

per·se·cu·tion | \ ˌpər-si-ˈkyü-shən

Kids Definition of persecution

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

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