persecute
Verb: 1. To subject (someone) to hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of their race, political, or religious beliefs: To systematically oppress, harass, or cause to suffer, often over a prolonged period. 2. To annoy or trouble persistently: To bother someone continually.
The verb "persecute" is used to describe the act of systematically mistreating an individual or group. It is a transitive verb, requiring a direct object (the person or group being persecuted). It often appears in contexts of severe social, political, or religious oppression.
Systematic oppression:
- The regime was known to persecute political dissidents.
- Throughout history, many minority groups have been persecuted for their beliefs.
Persistent annoyance:
- He felt persecuted by the constant phone calls from telemarketers.
- Stop persecuting me with your complaints!
"To be persecuted for one's beliefs": A common collocation highlighting the cause of the mistreatment.
- They fled the country after being persecuted for their religious beliefs.
Passive voice construction: Frequently used to describe the victim's experience.
- Many journalists are persecuted for reporting the truth.
Persecution (noun): The act or instance of persecuting.
- They sought asylum to escape persecution.
Persecutor (noun): A person who persecutes.
- The persecutors showed no mercy.
- Oppress: To keep in subservience and hardship, especially by unjust exercise of authority.
- Harass: To subject to aggressive pressure or intimidation.
- Victimize: To single someone out for cruel or unjust treatment.
- Protect: To keep safe from harm or injury.
- Cherish: To protect and care for lovingly.
- Defend: To resist an attack made on someone.
"Witch hunt": A campaign directed against a person or group holding unorthodox or unpopular views, often implying unfair persecution.
- The investigation was denounced as a political witch hunt.
"To persecute someone with questions": To trouble or harass someone by asking many questions.
- The reporter persecuted the celebrity with questions about her private life.
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cause to suffer
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Jews were persecuted in the former Soviet Union
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