as in harassment
something that causes mental distress
The media's constant persecution was beginning to affect their lives.
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Recent Examples of persecution
This might be done to avoid societal persecution or stigma, or possibly for the benefit of familial expectations.
—
Mikelle Street, Them., 14 May 2025
Ramaphosa says Afrikaners have not suffered persecution and therefore cannot even be considered refugees under the usual meaning of the word.
—Chloe Mayer, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
Democrats, by contrast, are up in arms over the importation of a refugee population facing persecution abroad.
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 13 May 2025
Using social media, Cardinal Prevost shared a letter by Pope Francis condemning Trump’s deportation of people who came to America to seek refuge from exploitation and persecution.
—Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for persecution
Mikelle Street, Them., 14 May 2025
Ramaphosa says Afrikaners have not suffered persecution and therefore cannot even be considered refugees under the usual meaning of the word.
—Chloe Mayer, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
Democrats, by contrast, are up in arms over the importation of a refugee population facing persecution abroad.
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 13 May 2025
Using social media, Cardinal Prevost shared a letter by Pope Francis condemning Trump’s deportation of people who came to America to seek refuge from exploitation and persecution.
—Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for persecution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persecution
Noun
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Down encourages readers to use their righteous anger toward rebuilding a fractured world.—
Shannon Carlin,
Time,
22 May 2025
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Told in the first person, the story explores a lot of the feelings that Helen experiences: frustration and anger and love for her friend.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
21 May 2025
Noun
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High ozone levels are especially dangerous for children, older adults, and those with existing respiratory or heart conditions, potentially causing throat irritation, coughing, chest pain, and shortness of breath.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 May 2025
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To determine whether demodex mites are the cause of skin irritations, dermatologists can tape or lightly scrape the top layer of skin and place the sample under a microscope, Ricardo-Gonzalez said.—
Kameryn Griesser,
CNN Money,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Persecution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persecution. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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