noun
persecution
pur-suh-KYOO-shuhn
noun
1
Cruel or unfair treatment over time, especially aimed at a particular group.
"The novel is based on the persecution of refugees during the war."
"She fled her home country to escape religious persecution."
How to Use Persecution
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe ongoing mistreatment of a person or group, often because of race, religion, or beliefs.
Common pairings
religious persecution
flee persecution
fear of persecution
Word Forms
persecutions plural
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The novel is based on the _____ of refugees during the war.
Etymology
From Old French persecucion, ultimately from Latin persequi ("to pursue").