persecute

[pur-si-kyoot] /ˈpɜr sɪˌkyut/

verb (used with object), persecuted, persecuting.

to pursue with harassing or oppressive treatment, especially because of religion, race, or beliefs; harass persistently.

to annoy or trouble persistently.

Origin

1400-50; late Middle English; back formation from persecutour persecutor ≪ Late Latin persecūtor orig. prosecutor, equivalent to persecū-, variant stem of persequī to prosecute, pursue closely (see per-, sequence) + -tor -tor

Related forms

persecutingly, adverb

persecutive, adjective

persecutiveness, noun

persecutor, noun

persecutory

[pur-si-kyoo-tuh-ree, -kyuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] /ˈpɜr sɪˌkyu tə ri, -kyəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/ (Show IPA), adjective

nonpersecuting, adjective

nonpersecutive, adjective

nonpersecutory, adjective

overpersecute, verb (used with object), overpersecuted, overpersecuting.

unpersecuted, adjective

unpersecuting, adjective

unpersecutive, adjective

Can be confused

persecute, prosecute.

Synonyms

1. afflict, torture, torment. 2. worry, badger, vex, bother, pester.

Examples from the web for persecute

And I won't persecute you for offering it.
Let's try to be competent when we hunt and persecute.
And indigenous and business groups say it will enable the government to persecute uncooperative politicians and journalists.
It might not be possible, because of public opinion, to persecute him too much.
People who are on the outer extremes of politics lay down the law and persecute moderates for questioning the party line.
The author makes a good point-civilised societies should not persecute people for analysing history or making their opinion known.
The monarchs will use you and persecute you.
Reporting of most of the afflicted countries is scant, not least because so many of them persecute journalists.
That's right: persecute a people with enough savagery and they will in the end unite, rise up, fight and go their own way.
It is unfair to persecute valued service members under an outmoded and harmful law that should have been scrapped long ago.

British Dictionary definitions for persecute

persecute

/ˈpɜːsɪˌkjuːt/

verb (transitive)

to oppress, harass, or maltreat, esp because of race, religion, etc

to bother persistently

Derived Forms

persecutive, adjective
persecutor, noun

Word Origin

C15: from Old French persecuter, back formation from persecuteur, from Late Latin persecūtor pursuer, from persequī to take vengeance upon

Word Origin and History for persecute

mid-15c., "to oppress for the holding of a belief or opinion," from Middle French persécuter "pursue, torment, open legal action" (14c.), from Latin persecutus, past participle of persequi "to pursue" (see persecution). Related: Persecuted; persecuting.