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View synonyms for persecute

persecute

[ pur-si-kyoot ]

verb (used with object)

, per·se·cut·ed, per·se·cut·ing.
  1. to pursue with harassing or oppressive treatment, especially because of religious or political beliefs, ethnic or racial origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

    Synonyms: torment, torture, afflict

  2. to annoy or trouble persistently.

    Synonyms: pester, bother, vex, badger, worry



persecute

/ ˈpɜːsɪˌkjuːt /

verb

  1. to oppress, harass, or maltreat, esp because of race, religion, etc
  2. to bother persistently
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • ˈperseˌcutor, noun
  • ˈperseˌcutive, adjective
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Other Words From

  • per·se·cut·ing·ly adverb
  • per·se·cu·tive adjective
  • per·se·cu·tive·ness noun
  • per·se·cu·tor noun
  • per·se·cu·to·ry [pur, -si-kyoo-t, uh, -ree, -ky, uh, -tawr-ee], adjective
  • non·per·se·cut·ing adjective
  • non·per·se·cu·tive adjective
  • non·per·se·cu·to·ry adjective
  • o·ver·per·se·cute verb (used with object) overpersecuted overpersecuting
  • un·per·se·cut·ing adjective
  • un·per·se·cu·tive adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of persecute1

First recorded in 1400–50; Late Middle English; back formation from persecutour “persecutor,” ultimately from Late Latin persecūtor originally “prosecutor,” equivalent to persecū-, variant stem of persequī “to prosecute, pursue closely” + -tor; per-, sequence, -tor
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Word History and Origins

Origin of persecute1

C15: from Old French persecuter, back formation from persecuteur, from Late Latin persecūtor pursuer, from persequī to take vengeance upon
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Example Sentences

That said, most people who may be persecuted in some way—including LGBTQI people—will not have an opportunity to flee.

By using the technology to wire money in the form of a cryptocurrency to persecuted activists or by using it to fund protests — and avoiding capitalist banks and companies in the process.

From Ozy

Gosar called them “political prisoners” who are being “persecuted” and unjustly punished before trial.

It was a great relief to know that they were victorious in this whole process and that finally no one else will persecute them for loving another man.

The state-run China Daily’s “Key Moments from 100 Years” bears no mention of the tens of millions who starved to death in the Great Leap Forward, nor those persecuted during the Cultural Revolution.

From Time

Putin would use such a treaty to persecute innocent Russians who have escaped his grasp by fleeing the country.

Not because I think that Obama called Doug Shulman into his office to tell him to persecute the Tea Party.

Yet one of the things it has oppressed is the desire of local majorities to persecute local minorities.

But, then, lacking a solid core, projectors like Gingrich secretly lust after the identities of the people they persecute.

We are also keenly aware of the fact that states routinely use a wide range of charges to persecute the press.

Seeing that this would not be conceded, he commenced to persecute Christians openly and secretly.

The Gentiles shall seek and find Christ, but the Jews will persecute him, and be rejected, only a remnant shall be reserved.

Thou shalt persecute them in anger, and shalt destroy them from under the heavens, O Lord.

They will make such an uproar that the cabinet will persecute the philosophers and block the Parliament.

The government had just ability enough to deceive, and just religion enough to persecute.

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