Word
persecute
Phoneticsper·se·cute, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈpɝsəkˌjut/
UK/pˈɜːsɪkjˌuːt/
Definitions
01mistreatment for beliefs/identity
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to treat a person or group cruelly or unfairly, especially because of their religion, race, or political ideas.
v. to subject someone to hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of their race or political or religious beliefs. Transitive; requires a direct object.
“Throughout history, many groups have been persecuted for their religious beliefs.”
“The minority population was systematically persecuted by the regime, leading to a mass exodus of refugees seeking asylum in neighbouring countries.”
Pitfall
The police will persecute the thief for the crime.
The police will prosecute the thief for the crime.
Do not confuse 'persecute' (to treat cruelly) with 'prosecute' (to take someone to court for a crime).
Synonyms
02to harass or annoy
C2 · Proficiency Formal
v. to bother or annoy someone constantly with questions or requests.
v. to harass someone with persistent and annoying solicitations or importunity.
Español:importunar
“The famous actor felt persecuted by the photographers who followed him everywhere.”
“He felt persecuted by his creditors, who called his home at all hours of the day to demand immediate payment.”
Antonyms
Confusables
Persecute is to mistreat someone for their beliefs; prosecute is to take someone to court for a crime.
RememberProsecute involves a Professional (lawyer); Persecute involves Personal bias.
Real-World Examples
“Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced in July that Myanmar’s military-backed government had agreed to take back 5,000 members of the persecuted Rohingya minority amid rising tensions with local communities in Malaysia.” “Thousands remain in need of protection, some of them persecuted specifically because of their work supporting and protecting Australians .” Etymology
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/persecute
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0