PERSECUTION Synonyms: 36 Similar and Opposite Words

persecution

noun

Definition of persecution

as in harassment

something that causes mental distress The media's constant persecution was beginning to affect their lives.

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of persecution The flight on Saturday is the second to the Central African Republic since June, which carried two dozen migrants, including an Iranian woman facing persecution in her home country. — Mark Banchereau, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 These tragic flashpoints were mythologized into persecution stories, recast by right-wing Christian leaders not as tragic consequences of radical defiance but as proof of an evil secular government at war with faith and freedom. — Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026 Alex Montalvo, a friend of Carrion’s and fellow activist in Fort Worth, said the arrests are persecution for speech protected by the First Amendment. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Aug. 2026 By portraying white people as under attack or unfairly displaced, these narratives transform social change into a story of persecution and provide a powerful justification for political mobilization. — Art Jipson, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for persecution

Recent Examples of Synonyms for persecution

Noun

Tayfun Coskun / Anadolu via Getty Images Two former Golden State Warriors employees have sued the NBA franchise, alleging gender, age and race-based discrimination, workplace harassment and retaliation tied to their terminations.

— Devon Henderson, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Thirteen days before Morissette’s lawsuit, Urinov filed her own claim against the singer in London’s King Bench Division, which handles cases of defamation, misuse of private information, data protection, and harassment by publication.

— Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of harassment

Noun

Another steered people to collagen creams for lifting, which included products for calming irritation and a cream formulated for reducing redness.

— Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Hyaluronic acid can help combat potential irritation and dryness caused by retinol.

— Ellie Davis, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of irritation

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persecuting

persecution

persecutions

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“Persecution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persecution. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of persecution

noun

Example Sentences

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