1
as in to plague
to cause persistent suffering to
people who were persecuted simply for practicing their religious faith
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to annoy
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts
she likes to persecute her sister with pointless, annoying questions at very inopportune times
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of persecute
The Lieser family of Jewish industrialists was persecuted by the Nazis, including being imprisoned, and lost almost all their possessions to Nazi seizure.
—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
5 June 2026
It's partially inspired by director Benjamin Christensen's research on the German text Malleus Maleficarum, a guide to witchcraft for inquisitors looking to persecute its perpetrators.
—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 June 2026
Family members and friends were persecuted, arrested, and killed.
—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2026
Jack Hayford, the founder of the King’s University, in Texas, claimed that the film was persecuting Christians, who only wanted to be treated equally.
—
Isaac Butler,
New Yorker,
30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for persecute
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
5 June 2026
It's partially inspired by director Benjamin Christensen's research on the German text Malleus Maleficarum, a guide to witchcraft for inquisitors looking to persecute its perpetrators.
—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 June 2026
Family members and friends were persecuted, arrested, and killed.
—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2026
Jack Hayford, the founder of the King’s University, in Texas, claimed that the film was persecuting Christians, who only wanted to be treated equally.
—
Isaac Butler,
New Yorker,
30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for persecute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persecute
Verb
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Instead, Isaac, 28, will become an unrestricted free agent after nine years in Orlando that were plagued by injury.
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Greenberg tried his best to ignore an irritating ankle injury that had plagued him the last couple of weeks and grimaced under the hazy sunlight as the pitcher, probably 20 or more years his junior, stared him down.
Verb
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Damian used to get annoyed with his father's motivational chats about responsibility.
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Three hours before the parade is set to begin, paradegoers are already annoyed at the disorganization and slow-moving lines.
Verb
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They are both afflicted by cognitive and/or hearing issues.
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Two-thirds of respondents afflicted with alpha-gal reported anxiety or depressive disorders in a 2025 University of Missouri survey.
Verb
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While some of the wives wouldn’t bother coming to games every Sunday, Michel said, many of the children saw the Feeney fathers as proper heroes.
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His pace routinely bothered Sweden, including on one impressive solo run in the first half that produced a quality attacking scenario.
Verb
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Wayne County prosecutors allege that on June 17, Montgomery tortured and burned a raccoon at a home in the 12000 block of Washburn Street in Detroit and posted a video on social media of the animal being burned alive.
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In fact, the disease has been torturing humans for at least 5,500 years, according to a study published today in the journal Nature .
Verb
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But for those who just want to grab a bite or see a movie at the IMAX theater, the security protocol is an additional — possibly irritating — barrier.
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Carpet shampoos often have a strong fragrance, which can irritate those sensitive to scent.
Verb
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Boston was besieged by the Tartan Army.
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Boris Yeltsin, to everyone’s shock, had then walked through the crowd and climbed one of the Soviet tanks besieging him.
Verb
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The necessity of the trip at all is what's been bugging me.
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His doctor had been bugging him for years to get a colonoscopy because of his age, but Driggers declined.
Cite this Entry
“Persecute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persecute. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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