1
as in plaguing
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 bothering
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of persecuting
Trump has repeatedly alleged that the South African government is actively persecuting white citizens, particularly farmers.
—
Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
The former human-rights lawyer entered on a tourist visa and filed for political asylum in October of that year, claiming the governments that succeeded Correa were persecuting him.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
In July, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for two of the Taliban’s top leaders, accusing them of persecuting women and girls in Afghanistan, which the group dismissed.
—Astha Rajvanshi, NBC news, 5 Aug. 2025
Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025
The former human-rights lawyer entered on a tourist visa and filed for political asylum in October of that year, claiming the governments that succeeded Correa were persecuting him.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
In July, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for two of the Taliban’s top leaders, accusing them of persecuting women and girls in Afghanistan, which the group dismissed.
—Astha Rajvanshi, NBC news, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persecuting
Verb
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Both cases are apt to serve as models for how to prevent the kind of school shootings still plaguing the nation and could set legal precedent for who shoulders the blame when children have access to guns and open fire on campus.—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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The Live With Kelly and Mark talk show hostess seemingly hasn't known peace on the scariest day of the year for quite some time, but not because of ghosts and ghoulies plaguing her — but, rather, ungrateful neighbors who consistently complain about her Halloween candy.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Ibrahim keeps bothering me endlessly, touching my leg and thigh.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Ask her if anything is bothering her.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
24 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Other geopolitical threats afflicting OPEC+ nations continue to simmer.—
Grant Smith,
Fortune,
4 Jan. 2026
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The Canadian national conscience is rightly troubled by the serious social problems afflicting Indigenous Canada.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
27 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Sometimes, rage bait can be relatively harmless – a recipe that contains disgusting food combinations or someone annoying their pet, partner or sibling.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
1 Dec. 2025
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But what’s been annoying me even more is that these women should have been trained by producers to start recording on their own cell phones if drama starts to unfold after cameras go down.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
12 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Hundreds — some with and some without criminal records — have vanished without due process indefinitely into the prison systems of other countries infamous for torturing inmates.—
Mercury News & East Bay Times editorial,
Mercury News,
7 Nov. 2025
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Dahbia Benkired was convicted of raping, torturing and killing Lola Daviet, according the BBC, BFMTV and The New York Times.—
Liam Quinn,
PEOPLE,
27 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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Then Julian dropped one of his wireless earbuds into Olympia’s purse, using it as a crude bugging device.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
12 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Obstructing, impeding, or attacking federal law enforcement is a federal crime.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
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What now is the difference between the United States attacking Venezuela in order to install new leadership and Russia invading Ukraine to effect annexation and leadership change?—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The play-calling of Payton remains irritating and confusing.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
7 Nov. 2025
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Plus, if wind picks up, the leaves can wind up all over the neighborhood, irritating your neighbors.—
Miranda Crowell,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Persecuting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persecuting. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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