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
Despite international aid groups withdrawing from Afghanistan due to the Taliban’s oppressive regime and its persecution of women and girls, the Reynolds chose to remain.
—
Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2025
Soliman fled Egypt in 2014 after facing persecution and punishment for covering Arab Spring protests as a freelance journalist.
—Patricia Gallagher Newberry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 19 Sep. 2025
The documentary characterizes this apparent persecution of Mosby as part of the same beast keeping Syed in prison.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025
The government has placed DJI on this list due to its alleged role in the persecution of China's Uyghur ethnic minority, a group that is reportedly restricted to interment camps, strictly monitored, and forced to perform labor.
—PC Magazine, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for persecution
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2025
Soliman fled Egypt in 2014 after facing persecution and punishment for covering Arab Spring protests as a freelance journalist.
—Patricia Gallagher Newberry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 19 Sep. 2025
The documentary characterizes this apparent persecution of Mosby as part of the same beast keeping Syed in prison.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2025
The government has placed DJI on this list due to its alleged role in the persecution of China's Uyghur ethnic minority, a group that is reportedly restricted to interment camps, strictly monitored, and forced to perform labor.
—PC Magazine, 17 Sep. 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 22 Sep. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share