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

Children detained at the border are often fleeing persecution, violence or poverty in their home countries, and are trying to reunite with family who had come earlier. —Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025

After the 18th-century Russian annexation, the Tatar population lived through more than two centuries of persecution and exodus. —Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 25 Apr. 2025

This, in turn, exposed many clergy to political persecution, including Óscar Romero, the Salvadoran priest murdered by a right-wing death squad in 1980. —Omar G. Encarnación, Time, 22 Apr. 2025

Mo Chara, one of the hip-hop trio’s members, told concert-goers that what Palestinians are facing is far worse than anything Ireland endured during its persecution by the British. —Jta Staff Report, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 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