persecute[verb]Synonyms:- victimize, afflict, ill-treat, maltreat, oppress, torment, torture
- harass, annoy, badger, bother, hassle
(informal), pester, tease
Contrasted words: back, champion, support, uphold, humor, indulge, pamper, accommodate, favor, oblige
Related Words: dragoon,
rack,
torment,
torture,
worry,
hound,
ride [TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲
per‧se‧cute /ˈpɜːsɪkjuːt $ ˈpɜːr-/
verb [transitive][
Date: 1400-1500;
Language: French;
Origin: persécuter, from Latin persecutus, past participle of persequi 'to pursue, follow']
1. to treat someone cruelly or unfairly over a period of time, especially because of their religious or political beliefs:
The Puritans left England to escape being persecuted.2. to deliberately cause difficulties for someone by annoying them often
Synonym : harass:
Like many celebrities, she complained of being persecuted by the press.—persecutor noun [countable]—persecution /ˌpɜːsɪˈkjuːʃ
ən $ ˌpɜːr-/
noun [uncountable and countable]:
the persecution of writers who criticize the government [TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲