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

Parsis are their descendants, a people who fled religious persecution and built a life for themselves on India’s west coast. —Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 21 June 2026

Religious minorities have long faced persecution in Iraq. —ABC News, 18 June 2026

The artist had lived in Poland since 2021 owing to fear of political persecution. —Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 17 June 2026

Rahnama says the women were Christian converts and fled Iran due to religious persecution. —Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 12 June 2026

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