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
Critics said the report essentially equates one stand of conservative Christianity to be representative of Christians overall, then construes policy disagreements to be persecution.
—
ABC News, 1 May 2026
The Iranian American actor argues the long-standing persecution of the Baha’is in Iran has only escalated with the current Middle East tensions.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 1 May 2026
Reparations will support education, economic aid and mental health services, with programs specifically targeting women and girls who endured systematic persecution by extremists in Timbuktu.
—Molly Quell, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
This includes certain dual citizens of other countries, those facing persecution in Iran and those traveling on specific visas.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for persecution
ABC News, 1 May 2026
The Iranian American actor argues the long-standing persecution of the Baha’is in Iran has only escalated with the current Middle East tensions.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 1 May 2026
Reparations will support education, economic aid and mental health services, with programs specifically targeting women and girls who endured systematic persecution by extremists in Timbuktu.
—Molly Quell, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
This includes certain dual citizens of other countries, those facing persecution in Iran and those traveling on specific visas.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for persecution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persecution
Noun
-
During a news conference Thursday, members of the group said the early morning operation was part of an ongoing campaign of harassment, including members being followed home and prank calls on their hotline.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 May 2026
-
The most common reasons cited for detransition were pressure from a parent, harassment or discrimination, and that transitioning was too hard.—
Jo Yurcaba,
NBC news,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
To allow your anger at the cosmic unluckiness of a friend’s far-too-early passing be overwhelmed by your gratitude at the cosmic luckiness of ever having met them at all.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
15 May 2026
-
The past has a way of forcing its way into the present through memory, guilt, shame, anger and, in many cases, emotional breakdowns.—
Jerry Colonna,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
The cream is marketed to help relieve eczema symptoms including itching, dryness, redness, cracking and irritation.—
Angelique Brenes,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
-
In animal studies, the system reduced blood pressure levels while avoiding much of the irritation and tissue damage associated with traditional implants.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Persecution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persecution. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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