Dictionary entries for 'persecute'

Synonyms

aggrieve
oppress
outrage
wrong

per·se·cute (pûŕsĭ-kyōōt́)

[Middle English, from Old French persecuter, back-formation from persecuteur, persecutor, from Late Latin persecūtor, from persecūtus past participle of persequī, to persecute, from Latin, to pursue, per-, per-, + sequī, to follow.]

transitive verb: -cut·ed, -cut·ing, -cutes.

To oppress or harass with ill-treatment, especially because of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or beliefs.
To annoy persistently; bother.

derivatives

peŕse·cu·teé: noun
peŕse·cútive: adjective
peŕse·cútor: noun

transitive verb: -cut·ed, -cut·ing, -cutes.

derivatives

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition