persecution

noun

per·​se·​cu·​tion ˌpər-si-ˈkyü-shən 

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

This is why the Pre-Trial Chamber II focused on the closest crimes currently available - the crime of persecution as a crimes against humanity. —Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025

Madeline Potter celebrates the resilience and beauty of the Roma, while bearing witness to the trauma of fairly relentless persecution. —Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 8 July 2025

Claiming persecution becomes more believable when it is coupled with the righteous indignation of the wronged. —Lubna Zeidan, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

For 2,000 years, the Jews did not have their own country and suffered persecution as the minority everywhere and the majority nowhere. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 2 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for persecution

• absolution
• allocution
• attribution
• comminution
• constitution
• contribution
• convolution
• destitution
• devolution
• diminution
• dissolution
• distribution

Kids Definition

persecution

noun

per·​se·​cu·​tion ˌpər-si-ˈkyü-shən 

1

: the act or practice of persecuting

2

: the condition of being persecuted

Legal Definition

persecution

noun

per·​se·​cu·​tion

: 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