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

Abrego Garcia, however, had been granted a legal status known as withholding of removal in 2019, which prevented the Department of Homeland Security from deporting him to his home country of El Salvador because of likely persecution by gangs. —Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 25 June 2025

An immigration judge had ordered that Abrego Garcia could not be deported there due to the risk of persecution. —Racquel Bazos, Baltimore Sun, 23 June 2025

Kansas City, Kansas’s land has historically served as a place of refuge for people fleeing religious, racial and political persecution — dating at least as far back to the Underground Railroad. —Sofi Zeman, Kansas City Star, 23 June 2025

The Trump administration has held discussions with several countries about taking in U.S. detainees who lack legal status and cannot be returned to their home countries due to safety risks or fears of persecution. —Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 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