persecute
v.v. to treat someone unfairly and cruelly because of their beliefs, race, or religion. It often involves using power or the law to hurt them.
v. to subject a person or group to sustained hostility, harassment, or legal action, typically on the basis of their identity or beliefs. Transitive — requires a direct object.
The government began to persecute political dissidents in the capital.
Historical records show how minority groups were often persecuted during times of national crisis or economic instability.
The international community condemned the regime for its systematic attempt to persecute religious minorities, citing numerous violations of fundamental human rights and freedom of worship.
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.