PERSECUTE Synonyms: 152 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'persecute' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of persecute are aggrieve , oppress , and wrong . While all these words mean "to injure unjustly or outrageously," persecute implies a relentless and unremitting subjection to annoyance or suffering. // a child persecuted by constant criticism

Q: When is 'aggrieve' a more appropriate choice than 'persecute'?

Although the words aggrieve and persecute have much in common, aggrieve implies suffering caused by an infringement or denial of rights. // a legal aid society representing aggrieved minority groups

Q: When might 'oppress' be a better fit than 'persecute'?

The meanings of oppress and persecute largely overlap; however, oppress suggests inhumane imposing of burdens one cannot endure or exacting more than one can perform. // a people oppressed by a warmongering tyrant

Q: When could 'wrong' be used to replace 'persecute'?

The synonyms wrong and persecute are sometimes interchangeable, but wrong implies inflicting injury either unmerited or out of proportion to what one deserves. // a penal system that had wronged him

persecute

verb

ˈpər-si-ˌkyüt

Definition of persecute next

as in to plague

to cause persistent suffering to people who were persecuted simply for practicing their religious faith

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to annoy

to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts she likes to persecute her sister with pointless, annoying questions at very inopportune times

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb persecute differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of persecute are aggrieve, oppress, and wrong. While all these words mean "to injure unjustly or outrageously," persecute implies a relentless and unremitting subjection to annoyance or suffering.

a child persecuted by constant criticism

When is aggrieve a more appropriate choice than persecute?

Although the words aggrieve and persecute have much in common, aggrieve implies suffering caused by an infringement or denial of rights.

a legal aid society representing aggrieved minority groups

When might oppress be a better fit than persecute?

The meanings of oppress and persecute largely overlap; however, oppress suggests inhumane imposing of burdens one cannot endure or exacting more than one can perform.

a people oppressed by a warmongering tyrant

When could wrong be used to replace persecute?

The synonyms wrong and persecute are sometimes interchangeable, but wrong implies inflicting injury either unmerited or out of proportion to what one deserves.

a penal system that had wronged him

Examples Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of persecute The Trump campaign said the comment showed that Biden and Harris’ plan ‘all along has been to politically persecute’ the GOP nominee. —

Fatima Hussein and Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024 Like Oya and Elphaba, Céline tells her story from the perspective of the persecuted. —

Anita Kopacz, People.com, 9 Dec. 2024 Set aside the fact that Trump never persecuted his political enemies during his first term, including Hilary Clinton. —

Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024 At a time when the Moghul emperor Aurangzeb was persecuting Hindus, the community rallied by Shivaji, who was crowned as Chhatrapati (monarch). —

Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for persecute

Recent Examples of Synonyms for persecute

Verb

Karlsson is starting to eliminate the bad decisions that plagued him during the season’s first month.

Josh Yohe, The Athletic, 13 Dec. 2024
Saudi Arabia was confirmed as the host of the 2034 World Cup, a controversial move as all eyes turn to its human rights record and concerns following migrant worker abuses that plagued Qatar’s 2022 World Cup.

Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024