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

Abrego Garcia received a 2019 judgment from a United States immigration court granting him protection from removal to El Salvador citing threats of violence and persecution from gangs in his home country if returned. —Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 12 Apr. 2025

Welcoming and sheltering people fleeing violence and persecution is a moral and spiritual imperative across faiths. —Sophie Hills, Christian Science Monitor, 11 Apr. 2025

Nearly half of all Venezuelans are still considering leaving their homeland, desperate to escape a country ravaged by economic collapse, political persecution and relentless violence under the rule of strongman Nicolás Maduro, according to a recent poll. —Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2025

Seventeen members of my family fled Vietnam in 1975 to escape persecution by a communist government that sought to punish those who had fought alongside the Americans. —Philippa Pham Hughes, Time, 10 Apr. 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