persecute

Universal Words verb [VN] [oftenpassive] 1 ~ sb (for sth) to treat sb in a cruel and unfair way, especially because of their race, religion or political beliefs: Throughout history, people have been persecuted for their religious beliefs. * persecuted minorities 2 to deliberately annoy sb all the time and make their life unpleasant: Why are the media persecuting him like this? persecution noun [U,C]: the victims of religious persecution * They fled to Europe to escape persecution.