persecute

Meaning

1. To pursue in a manner to do harm or cruelty to; especially, because of the victim's race, sexual identity, or adherence to a particular belief.
2. To harass with importunity; to pursue with persistent solicitations; to annoy.
3. To kill many of one species of animal, with the intent of removing them from human habitats.

Synonyms

oppress

torment

chase

pursue

harass

prosecute

ill-treat

bully

victimize

tease

torture

maltreat

annoy

abuse

tyrannize

hector

stalk

course

trample

plague

ill-use

wrong

injure

afflict

punish

irritate

keep down

slander

mistreat

hound

hunt

impel

intimidate

kill

🔪🩸👤

libel

molest

murder

pester

press

pressure

propel

provoke

abusive

rack

shoo

slay

spite

stir up

suffering

tackle

Translations

verfolgen

perseguir

persécuter

vervolgen

perseguir

achtervolgen

poursuivre

acossar

najagen

perseguire

perseguitare

perseguir

acosar

ir ao encalço de

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈpɝsəkjut/

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French persécuter, from Ecclesiastical Latin persecutor, from Latin persequor, persecutus (“follow up, pursue”), from per- (“through”) + sequor (“follow”) (English sequel). Compare prosecute. Cf. also pursue.