PERSECUTE

persecute, oppress

(verb) cause to suffer; “Some religious groups are persecuted in some countries”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Verb

persecute (third-person singular simple present persecutes, present participle persecuting, simple past and past participle persecuted)

To pursue in a manner to injure, grieve, or afflict; to beset with cruelty or malignity; to harass; especially, to afflict, harass, punish, or put to death for one's race, sexual identity, adherence to a particular religious creed, or mode of worship.

To harass with importunity; to pursue with persistent solicitations; to annoy.

Synonyms

• oppress, harass, distress, worry, annoy

Source: Wiktionary


Per"se*cute, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Persecuted; p. pr. & vb. n. Persecuting.] Etym: [F. persécueter, L. persequi, persecutus, to pursue, prosecute; per + sequi to follow, pursue. See Per-, and Second.]

1. To pursue in a manner to injure, grieve, or afflict; to beset with cruelty or malignity; to harass; especially, to afflict, harass, punish, or put to death, for adherence to a particular religious creed or mode of worship. Do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. Matt. v. 44.

2. To harass with importunity; to pursue with persistent solicitations; to annoy. Johnson.

Syn.

– To oppress; harass; distress; worry; annoy.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

18 March 2025

ODONTOGLOSSUM

(noun) any of numerous and diverse orchids of the genus Odontoglossum having racemes of few to many showy usually large flowers in many colors


coffee icon

Coffee Trivia

Coffee is a brewed drink prepared from roasted coffee beans, the seeds of berries from certain Coffea species. When coffee berries turn from green to bright red – indicating ripeness – they are picked, processed, and dried. Dried coffee seeds are roasted to varying degrees, depending on the desired flavor.

coffee icon