as in harassment
something that causes mental distress
The media's constant persecution was beginning to affect their lives.
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Recent Examples of persecution
Long and Jin Drexel both said Jin may have sensed the arrest was coming, telling them both in recent weeks that persecution could lead to a new wave of revival among Christianity.
—
Chandelis Duster, NPR, 12 Oct. 2025
Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran native who had been living in Maryland with his wife and children, was deported in March to El Salvador's CECOT mega-prison -- despite a 2019 court order barring his deportation to that country due to fear of persecution.
—Laura Romero, ABC News, 10 Oct. 2025
Cruz introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025 last month, a bill aimed at protecting Christians from persecution.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
Jafar Panahi has endured censorship, bans, arrests, all kinds of persecution.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for persecution
Chandelis Duster, NPR, 12 Oct. 2025
Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran native who had been living in Maryland with his wife and children, was deported in March to El Salvador's CECOT mega-prison -- despite a 2019 court order barring his deportation to that country due to fear of persecution.
—Laura Romero, ABC News, 10 Oct. 2025
Cruz introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025 last month, a bill aimed at protecting Christians from persecution.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
Jafar Panahi has endured censorship, bans, arrests, all kinds of persecution.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for persecution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persecution
Noun
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In a phone interview with the Statesman, Ezzell-Pebworth added that concerns about the district’s display policy, a lack of clarity around bullying and harassment procedures, and the desire to protect access to books are the three most common themes she’s heard while campaigning.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
29 Oct. 2025
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Because her son’s allergy could be triggered by mere contact with dairy products and because the harassment continued despite her complaints, a pediatrician advised Josefosky to keep him home.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Our hero is also being coveted by a crime boss, and as he gets pulled further and further into this world, Farrell has to show his inner violence and anger breaking through.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
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Symptoms can include memory loss, impulse control problems, anxiety, depression and anger issues.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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However, overuse can cause dryness and irritation or strip your hair's natural oils, making your hair more prone to damage.—
Heidi Cope,
Health,
27 Oct. 2025
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When applying the principles of these findings to potential human use, there may also be concern about whether inducing skin irritation in humans raises new issues.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Persecution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persecution. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.
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