PERSECUTE Synonyms: 152 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'persecute' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of persecute are aggrieve , oppress , and wrong . While all these words mean "to injure unjustly or outrageously," persecute implies a relentless and unremitting subjection to annoyance or suffering. // a child persecuted by constant criticism

Q: When is 'aggrieve' a more appropriate choice than 'persecute'?

Although the words aggrieve and persecute have much in common, aggrieve implies suffering caused by an infringement or denial of rights. // a legal aid society representing aggrieved minority groups

Q: When might 'oppress' be a better fit than 'persecute'?

The meanings of oppress and persecute largely overlap; however, oppress suggests inhumane imposing of burdens one cannot endure or exacting more than one can perform. // a people oppressed by a warmongering tyrant

Q: When could 'wrong' be used to replace 'persecute'?

The synonyms wrong and persecute are sometimes interchangeable, but wrong implies inflicting injury either unmerited or out of proportion to what one deserves. // a penal system that had wronged him

persecute

verb

ˈpər-si-ˌkyüt

Definition of persecute next

as in to plague

to cause persistent suffering to people who were persecuted simply for practicing their religious faith

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to annoy

to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts she likes to persecute her sister with pointless, annoying questions at very inopportune times

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb persecute differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of persecute are aggrieve, oppress, and wrong. While all these words mean "to injure unjustly or outrageously," persecute implies a relentless and unremitting subjection to annoyance or suffering.

a child persecuted by constant criticism

When is aggrieve a more appropriate choice than persecute?

Although the words aggrieve and persecute have much in common, aggrieve implies suffering caused by an infringement or denial of rights.

a legal aid society representing aggrieved minority groups

When might oppress be a better fit than persecute?

The meanings of oppress and persecute largely overlap; however, oppress suggests inhumane imposing of burdens one cannot endure or exacting more than one can perform.

a people oppressed by a warmongering tyrant

When could wrong be used to replace persecute?

The synonyms wrong and persecute are sometimes interchangeable, but wrong implies inflicting injury either unmerited or out of proportion to what one deserves.

a penal system that had wronged him

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of persecute Netanyahu is far more popular in Israel now than before the war and the Egyptian leader, who has viciously persecuted its parent organization, the global Muslim Brotherhood, has been reprieved by Western creditors in reward for maintaining a stony silence over Gaza. —

Max Rodenbeck, TIME, 17 Jan. 2025 The facts of the complex historical matter are somewhat simplified and compressed, but care is taken to inform the viewer — briefly — that the Mormons were persecuted in Missouri and Illinois and that church founder Joseph Smith was assassinated, to give some background to their defensiveness. —

Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025 Far-right propagandists have spent years peddling false equivalency with the 2020 George Floyd protests, arguing that the insurrectionists were persecuted while their counterparts on the left were allowed to skate. —

Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025 Charles also joined a Catholic congregation supporting a charity helping Christians persecuted across the Middle East and the globe. —

Simon Perry, People.com, 2 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for persecute

Recent Examples of Synonyms for persecute

Verb

The snacking giant, part of PepsiCo., will run a minute-long Super Bowl commercial for its flagship Lay’s that will try to do for potatoes in the Big Game what Budweiser has done for Clydesdale horses and Chrysler did for an American plagued by recession.

— Brian Steinberg, Variety, 4 Feb. 2025
The Weeknd, real name Abel Tesfaye, plays a musician plagued by insomnia and facing an emotional breakdown in the official trailer for the suspense thriller Hurry Up Tomorrow, the first feature film from the pop star set for a May 16 theatrical release.

— Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Feb. 2025