persecute

2 definitions • 4 examples

to treat someone unfairly or cruelly over a long period of time because of their race, religion, or political beliefs, or to annoy someone by refusing to leave them alone:

Religious minorities were persecuted and massacred during the ten-year regime.

His latest film is about the experience of being persecuted for being gay.

Ever since the news broke about her divorce, she has been persecuted by the tabloid press.

to treat people unfairly or cruelly over a period of time because of their race, religion, etc.:

She claimed the government was persecuting its opponents.