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
  1. frightening
  2. harassing
  3. fearful
  4. terrifying
  5. chilling
  6. scary
  7. alarming
  8. horrible
Adjective
  • His solution was to ride at a frightening pace from the outset of stages, hoping to shed his rival from his back wheel — an approach that rewarded him with king of the mountains points throughout the Tour’s final week.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 26 July 2026
  • The most frightening scenario to many officials on both sides of the border is that the United States might use Rocha’s case as a pretext to strike Mexico.
    — Kevin Sieff, The Atlantic, 24 July 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
  • Aid networks ramped up their work to help immigrants too fearful to leave their homes.
    — Kat Lonsdorf, NPR, 27 July 2026
  • A couple days ago, Foerster wasn’t fired up but rather fearful of Shanahan’s fate.
    — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 26 July 2026
Definition of fearful
Adjective
  • Set thousands of years in the future, the Blight has wiped out most of civilization, and while the name sounds gruesome and terrifying, the Blight itself is verdant and filled with flowers.
    — Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • The trailer shows Depp as Scrooge tormented by the terrifying spirits of Christmas, haunting him throughout the Christmas season.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 23 July 2026
Definition of terrifying
Adjective
  • If there is no water in the bucket, the chilling effect will be modest.
    — Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
  • That’s a chilling indictment on where the Cavs reside despite that conference finals appearance.
    — Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 25 July 2026
Definition of chilling
Adjective
  • The Bang Bang Gang shifted momentum, but sent Clark Connors crashing onto the steel steps in a legitimately scary spot.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Video footage obtained by PEOPLE shows the scary moment the slingshot-style ride malfunctioned as one of the wires that attaches to the car appears to abruptly snap off.
    — Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026
Definition of scary
Adjective
  • Amodei has staked out some of the industry’s most alarming public positions on AI’s labor impact, though his framing has shifted considerably over the past year.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 24 July 2026
  • The drama began when staff for RTD sent alarming service cut plans to committees proposing slashing up to 20% of rail and bus services, including the iconic and essential Free MallRide on 16th Street.
    — The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 24 July 2026
Definition of alarming
Adjective
  • The Badgers have had horrible injury luck, which has led to bad QB play the past few years.
    — Antonio Morales, New York Times, 27 July 2026
  • Aemond raves about his horrible older brother who spent their youth tormenting him.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
Definition of horrible

Browse Nearby Words

persecutors
persecutory
perseverance
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Cite this Entry

“Persecutory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persecutory. Accessed 28 Jul. 2026.

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