persecution

[ pur-si-kyoo-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of persecuting.
2. the state of being persecuted.
3. a program or campaign to exterminate, drive away, or subjugate people based on their membership in a religious, ethnic, social, or racial group:

   the persecutions of Christians by the Romans.

persecution

/ ˌpɜːsɪˈkjuːʃən /

noun

1. the act of persecuting or the state of being persecuted

Other Words From

• perse·cution·al adjective
• nonper·se·cution noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of persecution¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English persecucio(u)n, from Late Latin persecūtiōn-, stem of persecūtiō (in Latin: “prosecution”), from Latin persecūt(us) “followed thoroughly, prosecuted” (past participle of persequī “to follow thoroughly, prosecute”; persecute ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

The warrants, for alleged criminal responsibility for acts including murder, persecution and starvation as a weapon of war, prompted fury in Israel, which like the United States does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction.

From Los Angeles Times

He said his dad, as a longtime executive director of the Bay Area’s Jewish Community Federation, assisted people living in poverty and fleeing persecution.

From Los Angeles Times

In 1985, a divided City Council adopted a resolution declaring Los Angeles a city of sanctuary for immigrants fleeing political persecution and violence, particularly refugees from El Salvador and Guatemala.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump maintained his innocence, denied that the affair ever occurred and alleged the case was a form of political persecution.

From BBC

While violence and persecution and economic opportunity remain the primary drivers pushing migrants into the U.S., the evidence increasingly also points to climate change as a growing factor.

From Salon

Related Words

• expulsion
• ill-treatment
• imprisonment
• killing
• maltreatment
• massacre
• mistreatment
• murder
• oppression
• torture

More About Persecution

What does persecution mean?

Persecution is the act of harassing or oppressing a person or a group of people, especially because of their identity.

Throughout history, people have faced persecution because of their religion, race, ethnicity, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and many other factors.

Example: People have been using the forum to call attention to the ongoing persecution of Muslims.

Where does persecution come from?

The first records of the word persecution in English come from the 1300s. The verb persecute is actually a more recent addition to English than persecution—the first records of it come from the 1400s. It derives from Late Latin persecūtor, which means “pursuer,” from the verb persequī, meaning “to prosecute,” “to pursue closely,” or “to take vengeance upon.”

Persecution often involves ongoing violence and other forms of harassment. Groups are often targeted for persecution when they are in the minority where they live—when they do not hold power. Members of all major religions—including Jews, Muslims, and Christians—have faced persecution during many periods throughout history and still face it today in parts of the world where other religions are more dominant. Racial and ethnic minorities constantly face persecution in the form of discrimination and harsh treatment. Gay people and people with differing gender identities have historically been persecuted and forced to hide their identity. Sometimes, people are persecuted for their political beliefs, especially when they go against the ruling government. Scientists have faced persecution for introducing ideas considered dangerous to those in power. Persecution is not a thing of the past. It happens every day all over the world.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to persecution?

• persecutional (adjective)
• nonpersecution (noun)

What are some synonyms for persecution?

• oppression
• mistreatment

What are some words that share a root or word element with persecution? 

 

• prosecute
• persecution complex

What are some words that often get used in discussing persecution?

• harassment
• discrimination
• prejudice
• minority
• expulsion
• abuse
• inequality
• injustice

What are some words persecution may be commonly confused with?

• prosecution

How is persecution used in real life?

Many groups around the world face persecution, and it is a frequent topic of debate.

On #WomensDay  a special thought to all the women forced to flee home because of war and persecution. pic.twitter.com/cgZOgG8aEy

— Valerio De Cesaris (@ValerioDeC) March 8, 2020

Labour MP Khalid raised at the floor of British Parliament the issue of violence against and persecution of Muslims in India, and called for an official reaction from the government of UK #DelhiRiots2020 #Delhigenocide #BJP #RSS pic.twitter.com/zYBOm5QSLS

— Murtaza Ali Shah (@MurtazaViews) February 27, 2020

Russian investigators have still not brought anyone to account for the horrific persecution of gay men in Chechnya. https://t.co/KODyxx3Urq

— Amnesty UK (@AmnestyUK) October 17, 2017

 

 

Try using persecution!

Which of the following words could be considered an antonym (opposite) of persecution?

A. abuse
B. tolerance
C. inequality
D. injustice