persecution
noun
per·se·cu·tion
| \ ˌpər-si-ˈkyü-shən
\
\
Definition of persecution
1
: the act or practice of persecuting especially those who differ in origin, religion, or social outlook
2
: the condition of being persecuted, harassed, or annoyed
Examples of persecution in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Supporters' groups maintain the symbol represents opposition to fascism and persecution—a human rights issue, not a political stance. — Charlotte Carroll, SI.com, "Timbers Army, Other Fans Protest MLS Ban on Political Displays at Sounders Game," 23 Aug. 2019 Members of the Detroit’s Iraqi diaspora and immigrant advocates waged a legal battle against the Trump administration, contending that deportees would face persecution, torture or death in Iraq. — Los Angeles Times, "Iraqi Chaldeans supported Trump. Now one of their own died after being deported," 12 Aug. 2019 The work of many Venezuelans denouncing persecution, torture and human rights violations for many years has finally paid off. — Camila Osorio, The New Yorker, "Michelle Bachelet, Nicolás Maduro, and the U.N. Report on Human Rights in Venezuela," 23 July 2019 Millions are fleeing violence: war, persecution, criminality, political chaos. — Paul Salopek, National Geographic, "A storyteller chronicles the mass migrations that define our age," 17 July 2019 Jackson was a slaveholder and slave trader who enabled the aggressive persecution of Native Americans and curtailed political and economic rights of black Americans. — al.com, "Trump didn’t delay release of Harriet Tubman $20, Obama-era officials say," 16 July 2019 Those arriving today are far more likely to seek out U.S. agents and assert fear of persecution, the first step toward initiating the process of seeking asylum. — Nick Miroff, Anchorage Daily News, "Border arrests drop as Mexico crackdown appears to cut crossings," 10 July 2019 Along with the regrettable veil of humiliation cast over mothers, the children conceived from rape also face extreme challenges and social persecution, ostracized by communities and often viewed as enemies. — Fox News, "Shunned Congolese refugee on raising a son born out of rape: the baby had a right to live," 2 July 2019 Part of that preparation involved getting mentally and emotionally prepared to retell a traumatic story about persecution to an immigration judge, Lin said. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "San Diego’s immigration court postpones already-scheduled cases to make room for Remain in Mexico hearings," 22 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'persecution.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for persecution
persecution
noun
per·se·cu·tion
| \ ˌpər-si-ˈkyü-shən
\
\
Kids Definition of persecution
1
: the act of continually treating in a cruel and harmful way
2
: the state of being continually treated in a cruel and harmful way
persecution
noun
per·se·cu·tion
Legal Definition of persecution
: punishment or harassment usually of a severe nature on the basis of race, religion, or political opinion in one's country of origin
claimed persecution and sought asylum
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