persecute

verb

USPUR-suh-kyoot/ˈpɝsəkjut/UKPUR-si-kyoot/ˈpɜːsɪkjuːt/

Formspersecutes, persecuting, persecuted

Often confused with prosecute

3 meanings of persecute

1
verbtransitive
To keep hurting or treating people cruelly, especially because of who they are or what they believe.
The family left their country because they were persecuted for their religion.
It is wrong to persecute people for who they love.
Similaroppress, victimize, torment, hound
Note
2
verbtransitive
To bother someone again and again, especially by asking them for things.
The kids persecuted their dad all afternoon for ice cream.
Salespeople persecute me with phone calls every evening.
Similarharass, hound, pester, badger, plague
3
verbtransitive
To kill many animals of one kind to get rid of them from places where people live.
Farmers once persecuted the foxes that raided their chickens.
Some people still persecute snakes that come near their homes.
Note

Practice

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Origin

From a Latin word meaning "to follow" or "to chase", made from per- (through) and sequor (follow).