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 Some of the spotlighted individuals, like St. Catherine of Siena and English anchoress Julian of Norwich, were celebrated in their day as visionaries, while others, including Kempe and Joan of Arc, were persecuted as heretics. —

Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Oct. 2024 They have been engaged in a public spat since 2017 over the late patriarch’s family home, and Lee Hsien Yang has accused Singapore’s government of persecuting him, his wife and his son. —

Sylvia Hui and Eileen Ng, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2024 Carano was fired in 2021 after a number of controversial social media comments which ranged from anti-trans rhetoric to saying conservatives were being persecuted like Jews during WWII. —

Paul Tassi, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024 America First’s efforts to keep America out of the war in Europe didn’t appeal to American Jews who saw German Jews being persecuted. —

Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 29 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for persecute

Recent Examples of Synonyms for persecute

Verb

Such charitable works can go a long way toward addressing the physician shortages that plague much of the country — and improving access to health care in the process.

Sally C. Pipes, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
Another issue that plagued Concorde was restrictions on overland supersonic flights, which were put in place to avoid noise pollution.

The Week UK, theweek, 5 Nov. 2024