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

The firm has been accurately tracking public opinion in Venezuela for years despite the challenging conditions shaped by constraints and fears of persecution affecting free expression under the Chavista regime. —Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2026

Iran and its proxies accuse Israel of conducting a campaign of mass murder, persecution and ethnic cleansing against indigenous Palestinians, charges that Israel rejects. —Foreign Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2026

Carl squirmed away from some of his earlier remarks minimizing the Holocaust but stood by his views on anti-white persecution and the Great Replacement. —Andreas Kluth, Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2026

In 2009, the church began sponsoring a Karenni family, members of an ethnic minority who fled violence and persecution in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, and had been living in refugee camps in Thailand before resettling in the United States. —Kayla Huynh, jsonline.com, 27 Feb. 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