English vocabulary · B2
Persecute
/ˈpɝːsɪkjuːt/ · v.
To persecute someone is to hurt them again and again for who they are. The attacks keep coming.
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Example sentences
- The king persecuted families for their faith.
- Neighbors persecuted Omar until he moved away.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- per — through (from Latin)
- secut — follow (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- OPPRESS — treat a group badly (Use Power To Hurt)
- HARASS — bother again and again (Keep Causing Trouble)
- TORMENT — make someone suffer (Cause Great Pain)
Words with the same root
secut — follow
- sequence — a set in order
- consequence — a result of an action
- sequel — a story that follows
Lesson notes
To persecute someone is to hurt them again and again for who they are. The attacks keep coming.
Related: oppress, harass, torment. Use persecute when cruel attacks keep coming.
The king persecuted families for their faith. Neighbors persecuted Omar until he moved away.
From Latin. Per- means through. Secut- means follow. Follow someone through every place and keep causing pain. That is persecute.