persecution

noun

per·​se·​cu·​tion ˌpər-si-ˈkyü-shən How to pronounce persecution (audio)
1
: the act or practice of persecuting especially those who differ in origin, religion, or social outlook
2
: the condition of being persecuted, harassed, or annoyed

Examples of persecution in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The best example were a group of Uyghurs that the Administration—actually both the Bush and the Obama Administrations—determined could not be returned to China for fear of persecution, but holding them at Guantánamo ultimately became untenable. Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 16 July 2025 The Trump administration is attempting to scale up third-country deportations after the Supreme Court in June suspended a lower court ruling requiring the administration give deportees due process and an opportunity to claim fear of persecution before they're sent to a country that isn't their own. Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 16 July 2025 If Trump had been President then, my family may have been turned away and my uncles, who'd fought alongside American forces, would have faced persecution or death in Vietnam. Philippa Pham Hughes, Time, 11 July 2025 Both Siegel and Shuster were from families that had fled Eastern European persecution. Rusty Wright, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for persecution

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of persecution was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Persecution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/persecution. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

persecution

noun
per·​se·​cu·​tion ˌpər-si-ˈkyü-shən How to pronounce persecution (audio)
1
: the act or practice of persecuting
2
: the condition of being persecuted

Legal Definition

persecution

noun
per·​se·​cu·​tion
: punishment or harassment usually of a severe nature on the basis of race, religion, or political opinion in one's country of origin
claimed persecution and sought asylum

More from Merriam-Webster on persecution

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!