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 frightening part is that almost anyone can end up on the wrong side of these systems.

— Edward Longe, Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2026
Sussman remembers the 1999 Glastonbury Festival as both frightening and unforgettable.

— Maribeth Romslo, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of frightening

Adjective

Then Clark put on a dribbling clinic, made nifty pass after nifty pass and became both a harassing presence on defense and the Fever's emotional leader during a 20-6 second-quarter run.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of harassing

Adjective

The previous June, during a COVID wave in Moscow, his wife, Anna Matveeva, a photographer and a film editor, had caught the virus, and Zvyagintsev, who had a long-standing lung condition and was fearful of falling ill, went to stay in his office.

— Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
For that reason, Corron cast his ballot for Ciscomani, fearful of what might happen if Democrats take control of Congress.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of fearful

Adjective

Malerman’s truly terrifying horror novel, 2024’s Incidents Around the House, upon which Other Mommy is based, tells the tale of struggling married couple Ursula and Ross and their young daughter, Bela.

— Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2026
Scottie’s punishing, smothering treatment of Judy, who bears much more than a passing resemblance to Madeleine, borders on truly terrifying to many women watching the film.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of terrifying

Adjective

Wrap each disk in 2 layers of plastic and freeze instead of chilling.

— Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Nov. 2026
This is true of the remake as well, but LaBute’s changes to Cage’s character, and his addition of a personal connection to the island, add a chilling dimension the original lacks.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of chilling

Adjective

Bad dreams – like scary stories – work as fire drills for the developing brain.

— Liz Rosenberg, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2026
There, shortly after fully participating in a practice as if nothing ever happened, the rookie linebacker recapped the scenes from perhaps the scariest moment of his football career three days prior.

— Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of scary

Adjective

The Houthis in Yemen, whom the kingdom has been battling on and off since 2009, have demonstrated an alarming ability to strike deep inside Saudi Arabia, from airports to the Aramco head office, with no regard for civilian lives.

— Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026
This is especially alarming as 1 in 8 women in America will develop breast cancer.

— Lyndon Haviland, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of alarming

Browse Nearby Words

persecutors

persecutory

perseverance

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Style

“Persecutory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persecutory. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of persecutory

adjective

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