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
Payam Zamani’s story reads like the American dream—one that begins with his escape from religious persecution in Iran as a teenager and culminates, years later, with ringing the bell at NASDAQ.
—
Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Many international aid groups, wary of collaborating with a repressive regime known for its persecution of women and girls, have since pulled out of the country.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Eagle-eyed audiences will ponder the connection between an artist who’s become persona non grata in American culture and Roberts as a professor who is facing accusations and persecution of her own.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 29 Aug. 2025
Dismissing believers as irrational or fringe only strengthens their bonds and validates their sense of persecution.
—Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for persecution
Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Many international aid groups, wary of collaborating with a repressive regime known for its persecution of women and girls, have since pulled out of the country.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025
Eagle-eyed audiences will ponder the connection between an artist who’s become persona non grata in American culture and Roberts as a professor who is facing accusations and persecution of her own.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 29 Aug. 2025
Dismissing believers as irrational or fringe only strengthens their bonds and validates their sense of persecution.
—Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for persecution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persecution
Noun
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She was ultimately charged with one class B misdemeanor for electronic communications harassment, and two more class B misdemeanors for electronic disclosure of personal identifying information.—
Ryan Coleman September 2,
EW.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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Justice Defenders operates with a combination of federal money and in-kind ABA contributions, using the funds to support human rights defenders facing criminal charges, frivolous lawsuits and harassment.—
Ray Long,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In the wake of a transfer deadline that brought anger and worry from many supporters, the Wolves chairman gave an interview of more than half an hour to the club’s in-house television channel.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
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Others echo the same sentiment, stressing that his anger is more than understandable.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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This is the same lineup, full of younger and mostly unproven players, that has kept the Rangers on the fringe of the wild card spot, a point of irritation among fans.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Sep. 2025
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But this line limiter didn’t bleed into my eyes or cause any irritation whatsoever.—
Jessie Quinn,
Flow Space,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Persecution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persecution. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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