persecute

USAGE SUMMARY

'persecute' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone imposing cruel or unjust treatment against another, for example: "The minority group was persecuted by their oppressors".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Cathars ambushed him in a forest and killed him – thus giving the official church even more excuse to persecute "heretics".

The Guardian - Arts

Putin concluded far from where he began, comparing the charges against Fifa officials to those against NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden: "Unfortunately, our American partners use such methods to achieve their own selfish aims, and in so doing illegally persecute people".

The Guardian - Sport

Whenever governments in unstable places persecute believers, that policy is not merely bad in itself but dangerous because it has the perverse effect of weakening moderate people of faith and empowering extremism.

The Economist

These groups focus on drug-trafficking, but are also thought to persecute trade unionists.

The Economist

Others recognise that the AUC is independent of the army, and that government policy must be directed to make the army persecute the AUC as criminals.

The Economist

In recent days, following months of delays, Mr Duhalde has at last achieved some of the Fund's preconditions for a rescue: Argentina's three big provinces have been arm-twisted the larm-twisted thesigned up on Tuesday—into agreements to cut their deficits and stop issuing private quasi-currencies; and an "economic subversion" last uSanta Feersigned foreign bankers, has been repealed.

The Economist

Another set of papers in the latest Lancet excoriate those who do not particularly those who persecute prostitutes.

The Economist

But he chose to persecute her all the same, adding fresh charges to keep her in prison for longer (see article).

The Economist

The majority of dissidents are religious radicals, but vague anti-terror laws and compliant judges have been wielded to persecute human-rights activists, women defying the ban on driving and ordinary citizens such as Khaled al-Johani, a 42-year-old schoolteacher who was arrested in Riyadh in March 2011, after complaining to a BBC camera crew about limits to freedom.

The Economist

When he was rejected the president proposed Bernard Gousse, a former justice minister who used the job to persecute political opponents, including some current legislators.

The Economist

It is only sensible to persecute and prosecute those most marginalised and alienated from the political system and consequently least likely to protest or complain.I am currently nearing the end of a ten-year sentence for growing marijuana.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "persecute" to describe systematic and sustained mistreatment, rather than isolated incidents of unfairness.

Common error

Avoid confusing "persecute", which means to harass or oppress, with "prosecute", which means to conduct legal proceedings against someone. For example, a government might "persecute" a religious minority, but "prosecute" individuals accused of crimes.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "persecute" is as a transitive verb. This means it requires a direct object to complete its meaning, indicating who or what is being subjected to the persecution. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

24%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "persecute" functions as a transitive verb used to describe the act of harassing or oppressing someone, particularly due to their identity or beliefs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts. It appears most commonly in "News & Media" and "Encyclopedias", where it describes historical and contemporary instances of oppression. Related terms include "oppress" and "harass", each carrying slightly different connotations of injustice and mistreatment. When using "persecute", ensure the context accurately reflects systematic and sustained mistreatment rather than isolated incidents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

oppress

Implies the exercise of authority or power in a cruel or unjust manner, often over a prolonged period.

harass

Suggests persistent and unwanted actions that disturb or threaten someone.

victimise

Indicates treating someone unfairly and making them a victim.

mistreat

Refers to treating someone badly or unfairly.

maltreat

Similar to mistreat, but can also imply neglect.

abuse

Involves cruel or violent treatment.

torment

Implies severe physical or mental suffering.

oppress minorities

Specifically refers to the oppression of minority groups.

discriminate against

Involves treating someone unfairly based on certain characteristics.

bully

Implies intimidating or mistreating someone weaker.

FAQs

How do you use "persecute" in a sentence?

The word "persecute" is used to describe the act of harassing or oppressing someone, especially because of their race, religion, or beliefs. For example, "The government was accused of persecuting political dissidents."

What are some synonyms for "persecute"?

Some synonyms for "persecute" include "oppress", "harass", "victimise", and mistreat. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between "persecute" and "prosecute"?

"Persecute" means to harass or oppress someone, often due to their identity or beliefs. "Prosecute", on the other hand, means to initiate and conduct legal proceedings against someone accused of a crime. They have completely different meanings and usage.

Is it correct to say someone is being "persecuted" for their political views?

Yes, it is correct. "Persecute" is often used to describe the unjust treatment of individuals due to their political views, religious beliefs, or other identifying characteristics.