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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of persecute
Anti-Semitism persisted, religion was frowned upon by the communist government and Jews were often persecuted.
—
Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Trump has repeatedly alleged that the South African government is actively persecuting white citizens, particularly farmers.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
No group should ever be persecuted for practicing their religion.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Its depictions of dancing devils and witches’ sabbaths are supposed to scare viewers straight, but writer-director Benjamin Christensen is also sympathetic towards the plight of medieval women persecuted for witchcraft.
—Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for persecute
Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
Trump has repeatedly alleged that the South African government is actively persecuting white citizens, particularly farmers.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
No group should ever be persecuted for practicing their religion.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Its depictions of dancing devils and witches’ sabbaths are supposed to scare viewers straight, but writer-director Benjamin Christensen is also sympathetic towards the plight of medieval women persecuted for witchcraft.
—Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for persecute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persecute
Verb
-
And then stop the organizational dysfunction, which has plagued the team for years.—
Jacob Robinson,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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The program, plagued from the outset by cost overruns and delays, was paused by the ICC at the end of 2023 to conduct an investigation into the best path forward after the surcharge expired.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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She’d been awakened by their puppy, and had been annoyed at Ryan, who hadn’t gotten up early with the dog like he was supposed to.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
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Kelce was evaluated for a concussion in the locker room, and he was annoyed at having to answer the questions that are part of the test.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Other geopolitical threats afflicting OPEC+ nations continue to simmer.—
Grant Smith,
Fortune,
4 Jan. 2026
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In most cases, the faithful afflicted by the evil one need only a comfortable chair (better if equipped with armrests) to accompany the exorcistic celebration.—
Rosa Lyster,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The clanging of dirty dishes being gathered in the back kitchen does not bother her.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
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Instagram and TikTok are littered with stories of women and their unsupportive husbands, men who can't remember their own children's birthdays or be bothered to take a weekend off from their golf hobby to spend time with their families.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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After female marches, which became iconic in the Belarusian revolution 2020, of course, the regime started to arrest women too and torture them too, the same as men.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Nov. 2025
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Daniel is just one of an unknown number of migrants who are currently being tortured on a near daily basis, somewhere in Libya’s Sahara Desert.—
Mick Krever,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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How Air Quality and Allergens Affect Vision Pollutants like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide irritate the eyes and contribute to inflammation.—
William Jones,
Ascend Agency,
11 Nov. 2025
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That time hasn’t arrived yet, though, so the Packers know what awaits them Monday night from a team that might have a little more incentive to irritate everyone inside Lambeau Field.—
Matt Schneidman,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The San Francisco 49ers continue to be besieged by significant injuries for the second season in a row.—
Robert Marvi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
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Meanwhile, Earth itself is suddenly besieged by an alien invasion.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That thing’s been bugging on him for a while.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
29 Dec. 2025
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Check the head and base and foot of the bed, peeling back the top sheet to look for evidence on mattress covers, box springs, dust ruffles, and the headboard—and most importantly, the mattress seams and piping because bed bugs like to hide in cracks and crevices.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
25 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Persecute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persecute. Accessed 7 Jan. 2026.
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