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persecute

[pur-si-kyoot] / ˈpɜr sɪˌkjut /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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It has many tools to persecute people who exercise or facilitate reproductive freedom within its borders.

From Slate ● May 15, 2026

John Adams pushed Congress in 1798 to pass the Alien and Sedition Acts, measures that allowed the government to deport and otherwise persecute critics of the administration.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 8, 2026

“Throughout the Scripture, there are two kinds of leaders: those who persecute faith communities and those who protect them,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 25, 2026

Now, a number of Kremlin critics living in Europe have told the BBC that Russia is stepping up its efforts to silence, threaten and persecute opponents abroad.

From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2024

It seemed that Bobby had lapsed over the years into a state of increasingly frequent paranoia, believing as he did that people and organizations, bonded in a conspiracy, were out to persecute him.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

It must send an unequivocal message that the United States will not supply weapons to military and security services whose leadership persecutes journalists and activists.

From Slate ● Feb. 26, 2021

While Emperor Domitian persecutes the Christians, the aged apostle John has prophetic visions.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 8, 2019

In the Bible, Saul persecutes Christians before he has a conversion experience on the road to Damascus and becomes the apostle Paul.

From The New Yorker ● Sep. 11, 2018

When Americans hear about “tribalism,” they often imagine a faraway land where one ethnic or religious faction mercilessly persecutes another for generations.

From New York Times ● Jun. 26, 2018

May the small and persecuted band of those who refuse to share the general hatred, and whom therefore hate persecutes, be ever warmed by this inward joy!

From The Forerunners by Romain Rolland

The exhibition features work from artists forced into exile, silenced or persecuted and Zhemkova said it was a good example of Memorial's work outside Russia.

From Barron's ● Sep. 4, 2026

Department of State gave money to groups protecting free speech, human rights and persecuted minorities in poor and authoritarian countries.

From Salon ● Jul. 21, 2026

Not all Shias saw Khamenei as their principal religious guide, but he became widely respected as a clerical authority and for standing up for a sect that has historically felt persecuted.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026

“This fund was open to anybody who was so weaponized, targeted, or persecuted, whether they were Democrat, Republican, Conservative, Independent, or otherwise,” the statement read.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 1, 2026

His father checked the margin of the page for the textual corrections of Rabbi Elijah—the same Rabbi Elijah who had persecuted Hasidim!—and showed Danny that he had been quoting from the corrected text.

From "The Chosen" by Chaim Potok

Rome’s shift from persecuting Christians to forming partnerships with them helped stabilize a weakened political order and opened a new era in the empire’s history.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026

This contrasted with a long-standing Sikh tradition that, by as early as 1711, held Aurangzeb responsible for persecuting their spiritual leaders and community.

From BBC ● Jun. 27, 2026

This is a declaration that faith is not on the side of persecuting the most vulnerable communities.

From Slate ● Feb. 27, 2026

But they became giants in an era when employers were effectively free to pull out all the stops in blocking and, in some cases, persecuting union organizers.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 28, 2024

“Lance, have you heard the news? A messenger has just arrived to say that this girl who is persecuting you is on her way to court, bringing the baby. She will be here this evening.”

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White




Vocabulary lists containing persecute


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