persecuted

[ pur-si-kyoo-tid ]

adjective

1. persistently harassed or oppressed, especially because of religious or political beliefs, ethnic or racial origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation:

   Having been raised in a frequently persecuted faith, the idea of any state religion makes me very nervous.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of persecute ( def ).

Other Words From

• un·per·se·cut·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of persecuted¹

persecute ( def ) + -ed ²( def )

Example Sentences

It is sickening to see how much they’ve been persecuted by one political party, and how feckless the other political party has been about standing up for their rights.

From Slate

Impeached twice and a convicted felon who faces more trials, Trump has said that he, and by extension his loyalists, have been persecuted by a “wacko” and unfair state.

From Los Angeles Times

Many of Rogan’s questions and comments fed the Trumpian narrative that he’s been unfairly persecuted by his enemies, the big disrupter who the “establishment” and the “deep state” fears and are trying to take down.

From Salon

Ulster Protestants have frequently been compared to the white community in apartheid South Africa, but in their glory days they preferred to see themselves as the righteous but persecuted Hebrews of the Old Testament, a theme elaborated in dozens of fire-breathing sermons.

From Salon

During Kenyatta’s second term, Ruto, then deputy president himself, complained of being sidelined and persecuted.

From BBC

Related Words

• abused
• destitute
• distressed
• enslaved
• exploited
• helpless