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
That local group has helped welcome some 6,500 Afghans since the fall of Kabul, and in 2023 provided assistance to 3,000 others fleeing persecution from 46 countries, like Cameroon and Syria.
—
Elizabeth Dias, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025
Among the victims were several Christians who fled persecution in Syria.
—Reuters, CNN, 7 Feb. 2025
For many of his followers, the booking photo has morphed into a kind of badge of honor, emblematic of Trump’s narrative of political persecution.
—Jamel Valencia, Baltimore Sun, 14 Feb. 2025
Although the refugee program has historically enjoyed bipartisan support and has resettled more than 3 million refugees fleeing persecution since 1980, Trump has long portrayed it as a security vulnerability and a strain on communities.
—Chris Kenning, USA TODAY, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for persecution
Elizabeth Dias, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025
Among the victims were several Christians who fled persecution in Syria.
—Reuters, CNN, 7 Feb. 2025
For many of his followers, the booking photo has morphed into a kind of badge of honor, emblematic of Trump’s narrative of political persecution.
—Jamel Valencia, Baltimore Sun, 14 Feb. 2025
Although the refugee program has historically enjoyed bipartisan support and has resettled more than 3 million refugees fleeing persecution since 1980, Trump has long portrayed it as a security vulnerability and a strain on communities.
—Chris Kenning, USA TODAY, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for persecution
Cite this Entry
“Persecution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persecution. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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