persecuted

[pur-si-kyoo-tid] / ˈpɜr sɪˌkyu tɪd /

ADJECTIVE

aggrieved

Synonyms

STRONGEST

disturbed grieving oppressed wronged

STRONG

afflicted depressed harmed hurt injured pained peeved saddened

WEAK

unhappy woeful

Antonyms

STRONG

comforted

WEAK

happy pleased

ADJECTIVE

downtrodden

Synonyms

STRONGEST

destitute distressed exploited needy oppressed

WEAK

a slave to abject at one's beck and call at one's feet at one's mercy have-not helpless in one's clutches in one's pocket in one's power led by the nose maltreated mistreated overcome subjugated subservient suppressed tyrannized under one's thumb underdog underfoot

Antonyms

STRONGEST

rich wealthy

WEAK

happy respected satisfied

ADJECTIVE

oppressed

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abused destitute distressed enslaved exploited helpless

STRONG

burdened maltreated mistreated suppressed tormented tyrannized

WEAK

a slave to abject at one's feet at one's mercy have-not subservient under one's thumb underfoot

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.

Some had been granted the opportunity to stay after proving to immigration judges that they would probably be persecuted if returned to their homeland.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026

"Right now everything here is suppressed, everything is persecuted, people are sitting in prisons."

From Barron's • Feb. 27, 2026

She suggests arguing that Epstein was being persecuted due to his "wealth".

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2026

By now, many of the people who filmed those shootings have since been punished and persecuted for telling the truth.

From Slate • Jan. 8, 2026

This would be our first encounter with people who had been persecuted in Bosnia.

From "The Freedom Writers Diary" by The Freedom Writers

persecuted

Example Sentences

Related Words