persecutor
/'pə:sikju:tə/
Definition
Noun: A person who subjects someone to hostility, ill-treatment, or harassment, especially because of their race, political or religious beliefs, or other defining characteristic. A persecutor deliberately causes suffering or oppression.
Usage
The word "persecutor" is used to identify the agent or perpetrator in a situation of systematic mistreatment. It is a formal and strong term, often used in historical, legal, or human rights contexts. It typically describes a person in a position of power or with malicious intent.
Examples
- The dictator was remembered as a brutal persecutor of political dissidents.
- In the story, the hero finally confronted his persecutor.
- Throughout history, many groups have been victims of their persecutors.
Advanced Usage
- Figurative Use: Can be used metaphorically for non-human agents of distress.
- His own guilt became his relentless persecutor.
Variants and Related Words
- Persecute (verb): To subject someone to persecution.
- The regime sought to persecute the minority group.
- Persecution (noun): The act or instance of persecuting.
- They fled their country to escape religious persecution.
Synonyms
- Oppressor
- Tormentor
- Tyrant
Antonyms
- Protector
- Defender
- Liberator
Related Idioms and Phrases
- To play the persecutor: To take on the role of oppressing someone.
- In the office drama, she refused to play the persecutor and instead defended her colleague.
Noun
-
someone who torments
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