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
Since the beginning of the war, parts of Georgia have become havens for Russians fleeing political persecution for protesting the war or refusing to serve.
—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 28 Oct. 2024
His mirthless laugh might have suggested Kafkaesque persecution, or Hardyesque inexorability of fate.
—Tad Friend, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024
As members of the Baha'i Faith, Zamani’s family faced persecution in their homeland.
—Heather Wishart-Smith, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
Morales denies having committed any crime and attributed the investigation to political persecution by Arce.
—Mitchell McCluskey, CNN, 27 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for persecution 
Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 28 Oct. 2024
His mirthless laugh might have suggested Kafkaesque persecution, or Hardyesque inexorability of fate.
—Tad Friend, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024
As members of the Baha'i Faith, Zamani’s family faced persecution in their homeland.
—Heather Wishart-Smith, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
Morales denies having committed any crime and attributed the investigation to political persecution by Arce.
—Mitchell McCluskey, CNN, 27 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for persecution
Thesaurus Entries Near persecution
Cite this Entry
“Persecution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persecution. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.
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