persecution
noun
per·se·cu·tion
ˌpər-si-ˈkyü-shən 
1
: the act or practice of persecuting especially those who differ in origin, religion, or social outlook
2
: the condition of being persecuted, harassed, or annoyed
Examples of persecution in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Because the government has halted refugee programs, with a few exceptions, IRIS has no new refugees – people who have been forced to flee their homes due to war, violence or persecution – to help settle.
—
Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2026
Pope Leo marked Holocaust Remembrance Day with a forceful plea for a world free of antisemitism, prejudice, and persecution.
—Staff, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
The ship set sail carrying Jewish refugees seeking safety in Cuba from Nazi persecution.
—Mary Damiano, Miami Herald, 2 Feb. 2026
Odón applied for asylum, granted work permit Odón is seeking asylum in the United States because of persecution in his home country, Cincinnati friend Andrew Bove said.
—Patricia Gallagher Newberry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for persecution
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Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2026
Pope Leo marked Holocaust Remembrance Day with a forceful plea for a world free of antisemitism, prejudice, and persecution.
—Staff, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
The ship set sail carrying Jewish refugees seeking safety in Cuba from Nazi persecution.
—Mary Damiano, Miami Herald, 2 Feb. 2026
Odón applied for asylum, granted work permit Odón is seeking asylum in the United States because of persecution in his home country, Cincinnati friend Andrew Bove said.
—Patricia Gallagher Newberry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for persecution
Cite this Entry
“Persecution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/persecution. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
persecution
noun
per·se·cu·tion
ˌpər-si-ˈkyü-shən
1
: the act or practice of persecuting
2
: the condition of being persecuted
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