persecute

CEFRC1

/ˈpɝsəkjut/

verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    verb

    To treat someone cruelly because of their beliefs or identity.

  2. 02

    verb

    Extra detail

    To harass with importunity; to pursue with persistent solicitations; to annoy.

Examples

  • Sedition laws are usually used to persecute peaceful left-wing activists.

  • He who persecutes one will persecute all.

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
4
Parts of speech
1
Citations
3
Synonyms
4

Also pronounced

  • /ˈpɜːsɪkjuːt/

Deep Dive

verb

Extra meanings

  1. To kill many of one species of animal, with the intent of removing them from human habitats.

  2. To pursue in a manner to do harm or cruelty to; especially, because of the victim's race, sexual identity, or adherence to a particular belief.

More examples

In context

  • Humans have been persecuting wolves in this forest for centuries.

  • I have heard, brethren, how sharply Antichrist persecuteth you, in vexing the faithful servants of Christ with divers and strange kinds of afflictions.

  • "Do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The authoritarian government began to blank anyone who criticized its policies.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

verb

Borrowed from Middle French persécuter, from Ecclesiastical Latin persecutor, from Latin persequor, persecutus (“follow up, pursue”), from per- (“through”) + sequor (“follow”) (English sequel). Compare prosecute. Cf. also pursue.