persecuted - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
persecuted Word Meanings
- to treat someone cruelly because of their beliefs
- to continually annoy or bother someone
- to harass or oppress systematically
persecuted Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
persecuted Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈpɜːsɪkjuːt/
US
/ˈpɜr.sɪ.kjuːt/
persecuted Word Etymology
per- = through; secut = to follow. Latin → Old French → English. Imagine a hunter relentlessly pursuing their prey through thick forests; this visual relates to the oppressive nature of persecution, as one is followed and harried without respite.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Persecute means to treat someone cruelly because of who they are or what they believe, and to keep harassing or oppressing them over time. It can describe state or group actions against minorities, religious or political dissidents, or anyone singled out for relentless mistreatment. In everyday use, you might hear about a government or a mob persecuting people, or about someone who persecutes a classmate with mockery and pressure. The word carries a sense of sustained pressure rather than a one-off insult. Etymologically, per- means through and secut means to follow; the notion is being followed or pursued relentlessly, like a hunter, which helps explain the oppressive feel of the act.
Usage Reminders
- Remember: persecuted is the past participle; persecution is the noun. Distinguish from prosecute (legal action) and harass (less formal, not necessarily systematic). Use with reasons (for beliefs, religion, ethnicity). Often pairs with 'for' or 'because of'. Not all mistreatment is persecution; it implies sustained, organized cruelty. Avoid mild terms like 'bullied' in formal writing when describing systemic oppression. Consider context: state action vs. individual actions.
Common Misconceptions
- Persecution = one big insult; it can be just a heated moment.
- Persecute only happens to individuals, not groups or governments.
- Persecute and harass are synonyms with the same intensity.
- Persecution is mainly about religion and ethnicity, not politics or beliefs.
- If someone is annoying someone, that is persecution.
Thinking Differences
For English speakers, persecution often carries a sense of sustained, organized oppression by authority or society, and pairs naturally with beliefs, identities, or affiliations.
Learning Tips
- Learn the noun form: persecution, and the related noun 'persecutor'.
- Practice with phrases: persecuted for beliefs, religious persecution, political persecution.
- Distinguish from prosecute (legal action) and harass (less formal).
- Use in context: a regime that persecutes vs. a bully who persecutes individuals.
- Note collocations: persecution of minorities, religious persecution, ongoing persecution.
- Pronounce: per- SE-cut, stress on the second syllable.
Want to practice more words?
Download LexiTalk app for personalized learning experience
Download App