persecute
[verb]
Synonyms:
- victimize, afflict, ill-treat, maltreat, oppress, torment, torture
- harass, annoy, badger, bother, hassle (informal), pester, tease

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Contrasted words: back, champion, support, uphold, humor, indulge, pamper, accommodate, favor, oblige
Related Words: dragoon, rack, torment, torture, worry, hound, ride

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

per‧se‧cute /ˈpɜːsɪkjuːt $ ˈpɜːr-/ verb [transitive]
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: French; Origin: persécuter, from Latin persecutus, past participle of persequi 'to pursue, follow']

1. to treat someone cruelly or unfairly over a period of time, especially because of their religious or political beliefs:
The Puritans left England to escape being persecuted.

2. to deliberately cause difficulties for someone by annoying them often Synonym : harass:
Like many celebrities, she complained of being persecuted by the press.
—persecutor noun [countable]
—persecution /ˌpɜːsɪˈkjuːʃən $ ˌpɜːr-/ noun [uncountable and countable]:
the persecution of writers who criticize the government

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲