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

Examples 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 Between the lines: Asylum seekers can ask for protection in the U.S. if they have been persecuted or fear persecution because of their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. —

Russell Contreras, Axios, 11 Dec. 2024 For The pardon was definitely bad optics, however the Republicans would never have been satisfied with any verdict and would continue to try and persecute/prosecute until the end of time. —

Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024 The director, who works closely with producer sister Anita Juka, says her new work is inspired by a late close family member who was persecuted for his homosexuality throughout his life. —

Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 3 Dec. 2024 While these groups were persecuted differently, they were persecuted nonetheless. —

Christopher Ewing / Made By History, TIME, 20 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for persecute

Recent Examples of Synonyms for persecute

Verb

The Bulls were plagued by injuries, mainly to Lonzo Ball and Zach LaVine, and never finished better than sixth in the Eastern Conference with DeRozan in tow.

Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 12 Jan. 2025
Such reckless actions weaken U.S. foreign policy and show U.S. policymaking is plagued by short-sightedness and an absence of strategic empathy—causing grand delusions and great tragedies.

Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025