persecution

noun

per·​se·​cu·​tion ˌpər-si-ˈkyü-shən 

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

Some agreed to voluntarily return to their countries from Panama, but others refused out of fear of persecution and were sent to a remote camp in the Darien jungle for weeks. —arkansasonline.com, 22 Mar. 2025

Pushed to the brink of extinction due to habitat loss and human persecution, the Florida panther is federally listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025

This is Putin-style persecution of political dissidents. —Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2025

The main theme is not just about the religious persecution of the truth, but rather the conflict between the church and the pursuit of knowledge and humanity’s intellect. —Rafael Motamayor, IndieWire, 15 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for persecution

• absolution
• allocution
• attribution
• comminution
• constitution
• contribution
• convolution
• destitution
• devolution
• diminution
• dissolution
• distribution

Kids Definition

persecution

noun

per·​se·​cu·​tion ˌpər-si-ˈkyü-shən 

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