as in oppressed
suffering grave abuse or injustice at the hands of one in authority
a nation that is still regarded as a refuge for persecuted people from around the world
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in afflicted
to cause persistent suffering to
people who were persecuted simply for practicing their religious faith
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in annoyed
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 persecuted
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
In the wake of 9/11, anti-immigrant sentiments were on the rise, LGBTQ+ minorities were being persecuted, and new technological advancements threatened to wreak havoc on the world.
—Matthew Huff, IndieWire, 17 Mar. 2026
Chandler framed himself as an alienated artist persecuted by arbitrary strictures.
—Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
The mission said intelligence agencies routinely persecuted political adversaries, falsifying evidence to justify arrests and in some cases resorting to torture, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
The policy allows migrants to be deported to such countries if immigration authorities either have credible diplomatic assurances that they will not be persecuted or tortured if sent there, or have given the migrants as little as six hours of notice that they are being sent to such a place.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026
Russia has destroyed more than 600 churches, persecuted millions of Ukrainian Christians under occupation, and abducted more than 19,000 children in an effort to break Ukraine’s spirit.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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
In the wake of 9/11, anti-immigrant sentiments were on the rise, LGBTQ+ minorities were being persecuted, and new technological advancements threatened to wreak havoc on the world.
—Matthew Huff, IndieWire, 17 Mar. 2026
Chandler framed himself as an alienated artist persecuted by arbitrary strictures.
—Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
The mission said intelligence agencies routinely persecuted political adversaries, falsifying evidence to justify arrests and in some cases resorting to torture, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
The policy allows migrants to be deported to such countries if immigration authorities either have credible diplomatic assurances that they will not be persecuted or tortured if sent there, or have given the migrants as little as six hours of notice that they are being sent to such a place.
—Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026
Russia has destroyed more than 600 churches, persecuted millions of Ukrainian Christians under occupation, and abducted more than 19,000 children in an effort to break Ukraine’s spirit.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 24 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persecuted
Adjective
-
According to Ehrman, Jesus’s teachings universalized earlier Jewish ethics by extending the duty to care for the poor, oppressed, and needy beyond one’s own community to include all people.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Again and again, American planners have assumed that if the right spark is provided, oppressed people will seize the moment and revolt.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The outcome will likely transform the already heated debate over social media addiction as a concept, what role apps may play in engineering it, and whether individuals like Kaley can prove they’re afflicted.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The disease afflicted homosexuals, Haitians, haemophiliacs and heroin addicts.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
One who grew up respectful but annoyed by the success the league previously had in Seattle.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Social media reactions to the bunny range from enamored to amused to annoyed at the price tag, which runs from $112 to $140.—
Reia Li,
AZCentral.com,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Demary’s mere appearance in uniform provided a spark, a lightening of the burden for his teammates, who’d been mired in a shooting slump and plagued by turnovers.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
23 Mar. 2026
-
She was plagued with all manner of rashes, sores and ulcers.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
22 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Korda was bothered by back pain starting in the second set, but played through the pain.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
-
This might make observers wonder why Lee even bothered to introduce the measure.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Aquarion sale has had a long and tortured regulatory history, having been first proposed during a bitter, years-long standoff between the utility industry and former PURA Chairman Marissa Gillett.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
25 Mar. 2026
-
But Saleh has carved out a unique place for himself as an avatar for restrained, tortured, and resilient Arab male dignity.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Last year the City Council changed the process for appeals, which irritated some of the commissioners.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The Knicks would beat the Magic, but Orlando’s physicality has irritated New York over the past two seasons.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
The interview takes a bad turn when the Ralph Lauren office building is besieged by the tabloid mob.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Persecuted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persecuted. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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