persecute

verb

ˈpər-si-ˌkyüt How to pronounce persecute (audio)
Definition of persecutenext
1
as in to plague
to cause persistent suffering to people who were persecuted simply for practicing their religious faith

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to annoy
to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts she likes to persecute her sister with pointless, annoying questions at very inopportune times

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb persecute differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of persecute are aggrieve, oppress, and wrong. While all these words mean "to injure unjustly or outrageously," persecute implies a relentless and unremitting subjection to annoyance or suffering.

a child persecuted by constant criticism

When is aggrieve a more appropriate choice than persecute?

Although the words aggrieve and persecute have much in common, aggrieve implies suffering caused by an infringement or denial of rights.

a legal aid society representing aggrieved minority groups

When might oppress be a better fit than persecute?

The meanings of oppress and persecute largely overlap; however, oppress suggests inhumane imposing of burdens one cannot endure or exacting more than one can perform.

a people oppressed by a warmongering tyrant

When could wrong be used to replace persecute?

The synonyms wrong and persecute are sometimes interchangeable, but wrong implies inflicting injury either unmerited or out of proportion to what one deserves.

a penal system that had wronged him

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 persecute Miller wrote the play as an allegory for McCarthyism, when the U.S. government persecuted people of being communists. — Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025 Alawites have become a community besieged, set to be excluded — if not persecuted — by the Sunni political class now in ascendance. — Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025 After the war broke out, Lina insisted on helping shield the persecuted – Jews and Roma, among them – at great risk. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 24 Feb. 2025 According to court records, two plaintiffs fled Afghanistan due to fears that the Taliban might persecute them over their support for the United States. — Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for persecute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persecute
  1. plague
  2. annoy
  3. afflict
  4. bother
  5. torture
  6. irritate
  7. besiege
  8. bug
Verb
  • McCaffery has a contract through the 2028 season, but with his program plagued by stagnant on-court performance and collapsing ticket sales, athletic director Beth Goetz could make a change.
    — Scott Dochterman, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
  • The global fishing industry has been plagued by labor abuses for years.
    — Julie Watson, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of plague
Verb
  • With Connecticut facing the possibility of exceeding the cap by $61 million, Lamont is reining in spending, annoying some liberal Democrats who note that the state is simultaneously looking at a budget surplus.
    — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Also keeping with that theme are tons of Marvel references to the point that Mara (who starred in 2015’s Fantastic Four) was likely getting annoyed.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of annoy
Verb
  • The same economic malaise afflicts much of Generation X. Americans ages 45 to 54 have less wealth than older generations held at the same age, according to the 2022 federal Survey of Consumer Finances.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025
  • His psychological symptoms—memory loss, disorientation, auditory hallucinations—mirror the real-world phenomenon of Havana Syndrome, which has afflicted U.S. diplomats and intelligence officers with unexplained neurological issues.
    — Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of afflict
Verb
  • By the end of the day, my T-zone had turned a little bit oily, but honestly, not enough to bother me.
    — Denise Primbet, Glamour, 16 Mar. 2025
  • The First Amendment’s free speech protection is under siege by the Trump administration and that should bother every American, including Republicans.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of bother
Verb
  • One of Manson's followers, Bobby Beausoleil, was found guilty of torturing and murdering the man who introduced Manson to Wilson, Gary Hinman.
    — William Lambers, Newsweek, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Between January and June 2023, the couple abused and tortured their two children within the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation, according to prosecutors.
    — Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of torture
Verb
  • In addition to the on-again, off-again tariffs and the militarization of the border, Trump has irritated Mexico by renaming the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America.
    — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Salt grains may be irritating, especially for people with sensitive skin types.
    — Susan Bard, Health, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of irritate
Verb
  • In recent days, Tesla showrooms in the U.S. have been besieged by protesters and vehicles vandalized on the street.
    — Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
  • At the start of the invasion, Russian troops besieged the city, forcing residents to endure harsh winter conditions without electricity or water under constant shelling from Russian artillery, missiles and drones.
    — Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of besiege
Verb
  • The movie's famous final scene sees Hackman's character playing the saxophone after his paranoia has led him to destroy his entire apartment to see if it was bugged.
    — Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Drew played in our first game and had a good game versus Santa Teresa, but he’s got a shoulder injury that’s been bugging him.
    — Christian Babcock, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025
Definition of bug

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Cite this Entry

“Persecute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persecute. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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