PERSECUTORY Synonyms: 62 Similar and Opposite Words

persecutory

adjective

as in frightening

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of persecutory For example, Americans living during World War II developed persecutory delusions involving Germans, while those living during the Cold War focused on communists. — Alaina Vandervoort Burns, The Conversation, 17 Dec. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for persecutory

Adjective

The subjects bring insightful detail of frightening practices, and the filmmaking helps to underline the thematic commentary of the disconnect between levels of humanity.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026
Como are playing some slick football under Cesc Fabregas, and while 21-year-old Nico Paz is still the shining star at the heart of every attack, Baturina has also clicked into a frightening gear.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of frightening

Adjective

The first complaint, in which a clerk made similar accusations of abusive and harassing conduct, was filed with the circuit court in 2022, not long after Merriam’s appointment.

— Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 1 Jan. 2026
The line is crossed when someone’s conduct at work becomes disrespectful, harassing, intimidating, discriminatory, or disruptive to the team.

— Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 30 Dec. 2025

Definition of harassing

Adjective

This lack of awareness was on show in 2025, when, fearful of a trade war, Brussels squandered its own leverage and signed off on a lopsided framework with Washington.

— JONAS NAHM, Foreign Affairs, 14 Sep. 2026
The production’s creative team, led by the inexhaustibly inventive director José Luis Valenzuela, returns us to a world where the dead are owed sacred duties and the living are fearful to renege on this basic human responsibility.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of fearful

Adjective

Wolfson has used animation, video, virtual reality, sculpture, and terrifying robotic figures to render technology as a form of psychological torture and slapstick comedy.

— Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
For many, the clear skies and beauty of that early autumn morning served as a tragic contrast to the appalling and terrifying events that would unfold.

— Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of terrifying

Adjective

The rattle of a bride’s gold earring or the rasp of straightener steam through a bride’s hair takes on a panic-inducingly eerie quality thanks to Marie-Clotilde Chery’s chilling sound design.

— Miriam Balanescu, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2026
They shouldn’t be stored below 45 degrees because chilling can cause internal damage and eventually contribute to breakdown and rot, explains Gregorie.

— Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of chilling

Adjective

Much has been written about the power of artificial intelligence to improve life in myriad ways, but also about its truly horrible effects—now and going forward—if it isn’t managed properly.

— Nadine Hack, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026
But the horrible scenes that unfolded before him were incomparable.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of horrible

Browse Nearby Words

persecutors

persecutory

perseverance

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“Persecutory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persecutory. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of persecutory

adjective

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