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
According to Open Doors, the continent’s most populous nation saw the worst persecution in Africa in 2025, with ‘non-stop stories of deadly attacks and kidnappings’ across Nigeria’s north and Middle Belt — a litany of villages torched, citizens raped, abducted, shot and beheaded.
—
Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 28 Dec. 2025
The attack hit the Sokoto region of northwestern Nigeria, an area where a local Catholic bishop said in October that Christians aren't facing persecution.
—Arkansas Online, 27 Dec. 2025
The legal end-around, which the government said is to curb asylum fraud, risks undercutting legitimate claims from those fleeing persecution, lawyers warned.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 26 Dec. 2025
New refugees — people fleeing war or persecution — are not coming in, but JVS each year still provides services to some 7,500 refugee clients in the city each year.
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for persecution
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Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 28 Dec. 2025
The attack hit the Sokoto region of northwestern Nigeria, an area where a local Catholic bishop said in October that Christians aren't facing persecution.
—Arkansas Online, 27 Dec. 2025
The legal end-around, which the government said is to curb asylum fraud, risks undercutting legitimate claims from those fleeing persecution, lawyers warned.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 26 Dec. 2025
New refugees — people fleeing war or persecution — are not coming in, but JVS each year still provides services to some 7,500 refugee clients in the city each year.
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for persecution
Cite this Entry
“Persecution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/persecution. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.
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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