as in harassment
something that causes mental distress
The media's constant persecution was beginning to affect their lives.
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Recent Examples of persecution
Human rights advocates from across the world will convene to discuss how to combat the rising threat of religious and ethnic persecution.
—
Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
King Charles Makes History with Emotional Visit to Auschwitz for Holocaust Memorial Day: 'A Sacred Moment'
Holocaust Memorial Day honors the lives of the six million Jewish people who were murdered during the Holocaust, the millions killed under Nazi persecution and during subsequent genocides.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 27 Jan. 2025
Early leaders, like Margaret Fell and George Fox, wrote letters to King Charles II of England in the mid-17th century, defending their beliefs, including pacifism, in the face of persecution.
—Joanne M. Pierce, The Conversation, 28 Jan. 2025
The eclecticism across our slate includes movies like ‘Longlegs,’ which is by an incredible director, and sits right next to ‘The Seed of the Sacred Fig’ by Mohammad Rasoulof, who made the film in Iran in secret while under threat of persecution and escaped the country.
—William Earl, Variety, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for persecution 
Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
King Charles Makes History with Emotional Visit to Auschwitz for Holocaust Memorial Day: 'A Sacred Moment'
Holocaust Memorial Day honors the lives of the six million Jewish people who were murdered during the Holocaust, the millions killed under Nazi persecution and during subsequent genocides.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 27 Jan. 2025
Early leaders, like Margaret Fell and George Fox, wrote letters to King Charles II of England in the mid-17th century, defending their beliefs, including pacifism, in the face of persecution.
—Joanne M. Pierce, The Conversation, 28 Jan. 2025
The eclecticism across our slate includes movies like ‘Longlegs,’ which is by an incredible director, and sits right next to ‘The Seed of the Sacred Fig’ by Mohammad Rasoulof, who made the film in Iran in secret while under threat of persecution and escaped the country.
—William Earl, Variety, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for persecution
Thesaurus Entries Near persecution
Cite this Entry
“Persecution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persecution. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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