persecute
verb
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Prosecute vs. Persecute
Take care to distinguish between prosecuted and persecuted, although we sincerely hope that neither word applies to you. Persecute typically has a small range of meanings, such as “to harass or punish in a manner designed to injure, grieve, or afflict.” Although the word is occasionally found in dialectal use to mean “prosecute,” many usage guides consider this to be an error. Prosecute is generally found today in a legal context (“to bring legal action against for redress or punishment of a crime or violation of law”), although the word may also be used to mean “to follow to the end” or “to engage in.” If someone is prosecuted they are being tried in a court of law; if they are persecuted they are being targeted and harassed.
Synonyms
Examples of persecute in a Sentence
Donovan McAbee, TIME, 28 Oct. 2024
Additionally, some immigrants, even those convicted of serious crimes, can have their deportation deferred if immigration judges determine they would likely be tortured or persecuted in their home countries.
—Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 30 Sep. 2024
Her latest tells the story of four filmmaker friends persecuted by the authorities for their sexuality in 1950s communist Yugoslavia.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 2 Nov. 2024
Trump the next day jumped on the moment, claiming Biden's comment proves he is being politically persecuted.
—Michael Collins, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for persecute 
Dictionary Entries Near persecute
Cite this Entry
“Persecute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/persecute. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
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persecute
verb
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