as in harassment
something that causes mental distress
The media's constant persecution was beginning to affect their lives.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of persecution
Sudan is the fifth-worst country in the world for Christian persecution, according to Open Doors’ World Watch List.
—
Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2025
The editorial wasn’t referencing Joseph and Mary’s journey to Bethlehem, but their flight to Egypt, to flee persecution.
—John Fugelsang
september 12, Literary Hub, 12 Sep. 2025
Mark Hetfield, president of the refugee resettlement group HIAS, defended the existing global agreements as ensuring people would never be subject to persecution without an escape route.
—Ted Hesson, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Trump has used his influence to try to save allies, including Bolsonaro as well as Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu, from persecution in their respective countries.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for persecution
Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2025
The editorial wasn’t referencing Joseph and Mary’s journey to Bethlehem, but their flight to Egypt, to flee persecution.
—John Fugelsang
september 12, Literary Hub, 12 Sep. 2025
Mark Hetfield, president of the refugee resettlement group HIAS, defended the existing global agreements as ensuring people would never be subject to persecution without an escape route.
—Ted Hesson, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Trump has used his influence to try to save allies, including Bolsonaro as well as Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu, from persecution in their respective countries.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for persecution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persecution
Noun
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Both friends asked not to be named due to concerns about potential harassment.—
Jack Moore,
ABC News,
25 Sep. 2025
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Over the last year, the Suns have faced five lawsuits from current and former employees, some alleging discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination and other issues.—
Doug Haller,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Yet Lupino brings such intensity and anger to her performance that the film’s register shifts into something far darker — so dark, in fact, that a prologue and epilogue Jack Warner insisted be added to make the movie more glamorous focus on a suicide attempt!—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
25 Sep. 2025
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In the affidavit, a detective noted that Decker — who was divorced from his daughters’ mother — refused to sign a parenting plan that required him to seek mental health treatment and domestic violence anger management.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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For clients transitioning from summer to fall styles, Peace finishes with grapeseed oil to seal in hydration and reduce irritation.—
Larry Stansbury,
Essence,
23 Sep. 2025
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Their natural acidity can also aggravate acid reflux, GERD or mouth irritation in sensitive individuals.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Persecution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persecution. Accessed 26 Sep. 2025.
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