1
as in to plague
to cause persistent suffering to
people who were persecuted simply for practicing their religious faith
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of persecute
Trump has led that charge, saying Peters was persecuted for her conservative beliefs and pressing Polis — on numerous occasions over the course of months — to release her.
—
Mike Lillis, The Hill, 22 Mar. 2026
An immigration judge has previously found that she would be persecuted by the Israeli government if she was removed there.
—Kristie Keleshian, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
Some had been granted the opportunity to stay after proving to immigration judges that they would probably be persecuted if returned to their homeland.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Such dynamics reflect that there is little room in this framework for the complexity of Jewish history, people who have been both persecuted and resilient.
—Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for persecute
Mike Lillis, The Hill, 22 Mar. 2026
An immigration judge has previously found that she would be persecuted by the Israeli government if she was removed there.
—Kristie Keleshian, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
Some had been granted the opportunity to stay after proving to immigration judges that they would probably be persecuted if returned to their homeland.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Such dynamics reflect that there is little room in this framework for the complexity of Jewish history, people who have been both persecuted and resilient.
—Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for persecute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persecute
Verb
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Giveaways plagued Denver to start the period and gave Seattle momentum, but Summit responded encouragingly, particularly after right back Ayo Oke subbed on in the 60th minute.—
Braidon Nourse,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
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Orion’s legacy The Apollo 10 capsule wasn’t the only one plagued with toilet issues.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Black also appeared as a frustrated office worker trying to get a co-worker (Ashley Padilla) to stop talking to him and others annoyed by the woman.—
Omar L. Gallaga,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
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Unless you’re annoyed at paying the junior engineers $300,000 a year straight out of school.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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It is usually only afflicted by slugs, which can be easily managed, or crown rot due to overwatering.—
Natalia Gonzalez Blanco Serrano,
The Spruce,
5 Apr. 2026
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In the months following surgery, many women are afflicted by post-mastectomy pain syndrome, or PMPS, which spans from uncomfortable to disabling and can last years.—
Brett Kelman,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The 6-foot-2 Strong — AP’s Player of the Year — was bothered by South Carolina’s interior size, with several of her inside shots rattling in and out.—
David Brandt,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
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But he isn’t bothered by the fact that the cost has jumped by more than $1 a gallon over the past month or so.—
Tami Luhby,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Countless thousands were displaced, tortured and killed, but what became of Gerson and Inlender’s ancestors?—
Marc Weingarten,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Apr. 2026
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The house of another, Carlotta Walls, was bombed a month before her graduation, and the police subsequently tortured her father in an unsuccessful attempt to coerce a confession.—
Daniel Felsenthal,
Pitchfork,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The cream contains the brand’s Active Hydramesh Technology, which fights off environmental stressors that can irritate the skin while providing up to 48 hours of hydration.—
John Monaco,
InStyle,
1 Apr. 2026
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While essential oils usually don’t irritate sensitive skin, extra-sensitive folks should avoid them altogether.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Early on, the Biden team had been besieged with desperate pleas to ship more of the then scarce vaccine.—
David Blumenthal,
STAT,
24 Mar. 2026
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When news circulated about the gathering, Temple Emanu-El was besieged with inquiries from the local media.—
Joshua M. Davidson,
New York Daily News,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This sense of solidarity extends into the rose garden, where a dozen or so common pests show up year after year — some in spring, some in summer, and some persist and bug our roses (and us) throughout the year.—
Rita Perwich,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
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Chandler Zavala has been fighting the injury bug his whole career.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Persecute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persecute. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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