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

Odón applied for asylum, granted work permit Odón is seeking asylum in the United States because of persecution in his home country, Cincinnati friend Andrew Bove said. —Patricia Gallagher Newberry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 31 Jan. 2026

During vetting by the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security, refugees are required to show they were persecuted or face persecution in their home countries and, once in the US, must apply for green cards a year after admission. —Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026

Pope Leo made an appeal for a world free from antisemitism, prejudice, oppression and persecution Wednesday before linking the message to International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which was observed the day before. —Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 29 Jan. 2026

Minaj has sparked backlash for her approving regard of the president, who has made violent persecution of immigrants a cornerstone of his domestic policy since taking office last January. —Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 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