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
Supporting people who have too often been, and continue to be, persecuted and othered would be a direct way to address the suffering.
—
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
14 June 2026
People outside of the Dutch Reformed Church were not persecuted, but they were required to worship in private and could not hold community events.
—
Literary Hub,
12 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
See All Example Sentences for persecute
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
14 June 2026
People outside of the Dutch Reformed Church were not persecuted, but they were required to worship in private and could not hold community events.
—
Literary Hub,
12 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
See All Example Sentences for persecute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persecute
Verb
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Andrew Harnik | Getty Images A rocky start The anniversary rollout has also been plagued by problems on the ground.
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In the 30 years following the tune’s release, disappointment has only continued to plague the Three Lions.
Verb
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Paraguay’s tactics, seeking to frustrate and disrupt France, had annoyed Henry as well as the current team and coach.
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Others are annoyed that its ambiguous language will create confusion over how — or if — the state will enforce compliance.
Verb
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Jude, meanwhile, was shifting from tossing cones to tugging at his ears, afflicted with the same malady that had landed several of the toddlers on the room’s version of the injury list.
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Advertisement Mission hijacking in the nonprofit space A similar overcrowding afflicts the pro-democracy space today.
Verb
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For all the chatter about his choices in handbags, Haaland doesn’t seem remotely bothered.
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What bothers me is the foot-dragging, the spinning in circles, the slow degradation of these characters into annoying stereotypes.
Verb
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What unfolds is a unique horror story that is unbelievably entertaining, psychologically torturing and incredibly fun.
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The brutal nature of her murder—she was believed to have been tortured, and her body was cut in half and provocatively posed—helped spark a media frenzy.
Verb
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Avoid potentially irritating actives Immediately after shaving is not the time to reach for your strongest skin-care products.
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While some of my linen pieces feel scratchy, this one is ultra soft and doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin.
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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What really bugs me about this moment, and about the battle and its aftermath, is the lack of feeling.
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The necessity of the trip at all is what's been bugging me.
Cite this Entry
“Persecute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persecute. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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