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

Derived Forms

• ˈperseˌcutor, noun
• ˈperseˌcutive, adjective

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

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

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

Example Sentences

"It is seeking to persecute and take revenge on Marine Le Pen."

From BBC

Each time, they have consistently worked as hard as possible to communicate their hostility to liberal democracy and their intent to persecute their various real and imagined enemies.

From Slate

They will persecute you for your Christian faith.

From Salon

They will persecute you for your Christian faith.

From Salon

"The departments and agencies that have been weaponized will be completely overhauled so that faceless bureaucrats will never again be able to target and persecute conservatives, Christians, or the left's political enemies, which they're doing now at a level that nobody can believe even possible," reads part of Agenda 47.

From Salon

Related Words

• expel
• harass
• hound
• injure
• maltreat
• molest
• oppress
• outrage
• pick on
• pursue
• torture
• victimize