persecuted: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, often used in historical, legal, journalistic, and human rights contexts.
Quick answer
What does “persecuted” mean?
To be subjected to hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of one's race, political, or religious beliefs.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To be subjected to hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of one's race, political, or religious beliefs.
To be persistently harassed, bothered, or annoyed; to be treated in a way that causes suffering over a prolonged period.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or usage differences. Both varieties use the term identically.
Connotations
Identical connotations of systematic oppression and suffering.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “persecuted” in a Sentence
BE persecuted for NOUN (e.g., *persecuted for his faith*)BE persecuted by AGENT (e.g., *persecuted by the government*)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “persecuted” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The religious sect was persecuted for centuries.
- He claimed he was being persecuted by the tabloid press.
American English
- The regime persecuted political dissidents.
- Many fled the country to avoid being persecuted.
adjective
British English
- The persecuted minority sought refuge abroad.
- She gave a voice to the persecuted communities.
American English
- They provided aid to persecuted populations.
- The journalist interviewed a persecuted activist.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used metaphorically for unfair targeting in workplace politics.
Academic
Common in history, political science, sociology, and human rights discourse to describe systematic oppression.
Everyday
Used to describe feeling unfairly treated or harassed, though this can trivialize the term's severe core meaning.
Technical
Used in international law (e.g., 'persecuted group' in refugee conventions) and human rights reporting.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “persecuted”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “persecuted”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “persecuted”
- Confusing 'persecuted' with 'prosecuted' (to conduct legal proceedings against someone).
- Overusing to describe minor personal grievances, diluting its serious meaning.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Persecuted' implies sustained, severe, and systematic hostility, often involving violence or severe deprivation of rights. 'Discriminated against' is broader and can refer to any unfair treatment based on prejudice, which may be less severe or systematic.
While people might say 'I feel persecuted by all this paperwork', it is a hyperbolic or metaphorical use. In formal writing, such usage is inappropriate as it trivialises the term's gravity.
No, it can refer to an individual ('a persecuted writer') or a group ('a persecuted people'). The key element is the systematic nature of the ill-treatment.
It is a participial adjective, derived from the past participle of the verb 'persecute', used to describe the noun 'journalist'.
To be subjected to hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of one's race, political, or religious beliefs.
Persecuted is usually formal, often used in historical, legal, journalistic, and human rights contexts. in register.
Persecuted: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpɜːsɪkjuːtɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpɝːsəkjuːt̬ɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Feel like] a persecuted minority”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a PURSE being CUT (persecuted) open and stolen repeatedly – a victim of systematic theft and harassment.
Conceptual Metaphor
PERSECUTION IS HUNTING (e.g., 'hounded by the authorities', 'witch hunt').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'persecuted' correctly?