1
as in torturers
a person who causes repeated emotional pain, distress, or annoyance to another
years later his schoolyard persecutor would end up being one of his low-paid employees
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nuisances
one who is obnoxiously annoying
on this flight my airline-appointed persecutor was a chattering nitwit who could not stop talking about himself
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of persecutors
Shakespeare humanizes the Elizabethan stage stereotype of the villainous Jew by giving Shylock ample reason for wanting to get back at his Christian persecutors.
—
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2026
Amish are part of the wider Anabaptist movement, which puts heavy emphasis on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, containing some of his most radical and counter-cultural sayings — to love enemies, live simply, bless persecutors, turn the other cheek and to endure sufferings joyfully.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
That is a nasty process which involves digging up Ambar’s still-fresh corpse, then subjecting it to various grisly indignities night after night as retribution gets visited upon our heroine’s persecutors.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 6 Aug. 2025
Using it to describe this week’s attack on Huwara – or other similar attacks in Israel or Palestine – effectively puts Israel in the place of the Jews’ historic persecutors.
—Joshua Shanes, The Conversation, 6 Mar. 2023
Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2026
Amish are part of the wider Anabaptist movement, which puts heavy emphasis on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, containing some of his most radical and counter-cultural sayings — to love enemies, live simply, bless persecutors, turn the other cheek and to endure sufferings joyfully.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
That is a nasty process which involves digging up Ambar’s still-fresh corpse, then subjecting it to various grisly indignities night after night as retribution gets visited upon our heroine’s persecutors.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 6 Aug. 2025
Using it to describe this week’s attack on Huwara – or other similar attacks in Israel or Palestine – effectively puts Israel in the place of the Jews’ historic persecutors.
—Joshua Shanes, The Conversation, 6 Mar. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persecutors
Noun
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Incredibly, one of Schiller's torturers, Jorge Delgado - the Sun Gym member who had first told Lugo about Schiller and his millions - ended up helping the federal government make their case.—
Troy Roberts,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
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His torturers shattered his hands and paraded him around the stadium, taunting him to try to play his guitar.—
Christina Hioureas,
Rolling Stone,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Land use regulations were legally justified as preventing nuisances, but in reality, the goal of many municipal leaders was to promote socially and racially homogenous neighborhoods, protect property values and keep property taxes low.—
Michael Schill,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
-
Previous modernization efforts The airport has previously suffered from a host of issues that have proved nuisances for travelers, including green liquid falling from the ceiling and broken escalators.—
Sarah Perkel,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That their tormentors were not untouchable.—
Nazanin Boniadi,
Time,
11 Mar. 2026
-
If the tormenters keep it up, grackles do eventually move.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Of course, that conservative approach is often wrecked by QB harassers such as Lawrence and Williams, part of a defense that ranked seventh in the NFL in sacks.—
Eric Branch,
San Francisco Chronicle,
17 Jan. 2026
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Moreover, when harassers disproportionately target women, people of color and LGBTQ officials, entire communities are systematically excluded from participation in self-governance.—
Ernestine Nettles,
Mercury News,
22 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
If outdoor dining is being ruined by buzzing pests, the Gootop bug zapper may be the easiest way to reclaim your outdoor space (and your cheeseburger)!—
Jeaneen Russell,
PEOPLE,
20 May 2026
-
This genetic isolation also makes the island tree more vulnerable to environmental threats — such as drought, a new disease or pests — in comparison with a tree species with a more diverse gene pool.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
The film is about the complexities of mental health, Blaze teases.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Apr. 2026
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Viewers will also get early teases of Vought Rising within the final season of The Boys, offering a first look at what’s ahead as the story continues to evolve.—
Angelique Brenes,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Despite that optimism, Landsvik still engages with Maja’s rightful annoyances with the world she is forced to live in.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
19 May 2026
-
For instance, many partners have small gripes or annoyances with habits that are annoying at worst, but far from an outright red flag — like a partner that chews somewhat loudly, leaves cabinet doors open or hums constantly while working.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Noun
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The gap between how fast attackers are moving and how fast defenders respond is widening.—
Aqsa Taylor,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
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The attackers started to go door to door, but the guard, Amin Abdullah, had already triggered a lockdown alert and the students were in another area of the building.—
Anna Schecter,
CBS News,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Persecutors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persecutors. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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