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
Personal data, such as religious affiliation, included in the census, played a major role in enabling persecution during the Holocaust.
—
Sandra Matz, The Conversation, 27 May 2026
Facing continued surveillance, harassment and persecution in China, HRIC said, Dong tried to swim to Taiwan’s Kinmen Islands in December 2019 but was intercepted and returned.
—Stella Kim, NBC news, 27 May 2026
America’s constitutional order—independent courts, federalism, a free press, and a robust civil society—provides formidable safeguards against the translation of social hostility into state persecution.
—Michael W. Sonnenfeldt, The Atlantic, 20 May 2026
The charges are widely viewed as credible, but Morales claims political persecution.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for persecution
Sandra Matz, The Conversation, 27 May 2026
Facing continued surveillance, harassment and persecution in China, HRIC said, Dong tried to swim to Taiwan’s Kinmen Islands in December 2019 but was intercepted and returned.
—Stella Kim, NBC news, 27 May 2026
America’s constitutional order—independent courts, federalism, a free press, and a robust civil society—provides formidable safeguards against the translation of social hostility into state persecution.
—Michael W. Sonnenfeldt, The Atlantic, 20 May 2026
The charges are widely viewed as credible, but Morales claims political persecution.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for persecution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persecution
Noun
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Carpenter filed a request for a civil harassment restraining order against Applegate in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Friday.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
2 June 2026
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According to the lawsuit, the union’s anti-discrimination and anti-retaliation policy prohibits retaliation against employees for lodging a discrimination or harassment complaint or assisting in the investigation of such a complaint.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
1 June 2026
Noun
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Death is often a flash point for communal anger.—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
29 May 2026
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Lemieux was known for diving on the ice, embellishments that drew the anger of opponents, Farber said, and often his own teammates.—
Dan Robson,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
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While prolonged exposure to Castile soap (think jobs that require your hands to be submerged in Castile soap formulas for an extended period of time) can cause skin irritation and dryness, the gentle, fragrance-free formula typically doesn’t cause irritation when used properly.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
31 May 2026
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Pay attention to moments when your internal state changes — irritation rising, confidence dropping, excitement building.—
Mary Crossan,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Persecution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persecution. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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