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 Reports of their persecution by the Chinese state wouldn’t reach wider international audiences until later that year.
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Yasmeen Serhan, The Atlantic, "Saving Uighur Culture From Genocide," 4 Oct. 2020 Masterson decried the Hollywood atmosphere that led to his losing the job, and also suggested at the time that his high-profile membership in the Church of Scientology was leading to his persecution.
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Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, "Actor Danny Masterson appears in court, lawyer denounces rape charges," 18 Sep. 2020 But the cry fell on deaf ears, and as the pandemic has gripped the already fragile state, the level of persecution is documented to be getting worse.
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Hollie Mckay, Fox News, "Nigeria’s Christians become target of genocide as international community remains silent: advocates," 18 Nov. 2020 Tigray's regional government denies the claims and the TPLF has accused the federal government of persecution.
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Tim O'donnell, TheWeek, "10 things you need to know today: November 14, 2020," 14 Nov. 2020 In his eyes, conservatives are fighting a rising tide of religious and ideological persecution that threatens to cast them to the outer fringes of American society.
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Matt Ford, The New Republic, "Samuel Alito Is Tired of Winning," 13 Nov. 2020 Once a pioneering movement, Iranian environmentalism has been crippled by decades of persecution, regime paranoia, and geopolitical tumult.
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Frans Lanting, National Geographic, "How Iran is destroying its once thriving environmental movement," 12 Nov. 2020 There is immense pride among those who can trace their families back to the passengers who boarded the ship in Plymouth, England, in 1620 to flee religious persecution and realize a better life.
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David Goldman And Alanna Durkin Richer, The Christian Science Monitor, "Mayflower at 400: Native American, Pilgrim descendants reflect," 23 Oct. 2020 There is immense pride among those who can trace their families back to the passengers who boarded the ship in Plymouth, England, in 1620 to flee religious persecution and realize a better life.
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David Goldman And Alanna Durkin Richer, Star Tribune, "400 years on, Mayflower's legacy includes pride, prejudice," 23 Oct. 2020
See MoreThese 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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More Definitions for persecution
persecution
nounper·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
nounper·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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Time Traveler for persecution
The first known use of persecution was in the 14th century
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