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Persecuting: meaning, definitions and examples

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persecuting

 

[ ˈpɜːrsɪkjuːtɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

law enforcement

Persecuting refers to the act of subjecting someone to hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of their race or political or religious beliefs. This term is often associated with continuous efforts to oppress or harass individuals or groups. In legal contexts, it may refer to the process of pursuing legal action against someone accused of a crime. Persecution can occur at various levels, including personal, local, or governmental.

Synonyms

harassing, hounding, maltreating, mistreating, oppressing

Examples of usage

  • The authorities were persecuting the activists for their beliefs.
  • She felt persecuted by her peers for being different.
  • The regime was known for persecuting dissidents.
  • They fled the country to escape religious persecution.

Translations

Translations of the word "persecuting" in other languages:

🇵🇹 perseguindo

🇮🇳 पीड़ित करना

🇩🇪 verfolgend

🇮🇩 menganiaya

🇺🇦 переслідування

🇵🇱 prześladowanie

🇯🇵 迫害する

🇫🇷 persécutant

🇪🇸 perseguido

🇹🇷 taciz etmek

🇰🇷 박해하는

🇸🇦 اضطهاد

🇨🇿 pronásledování

🇸🇰 prenasledovanie

🇨🇳 迫害

🇸🇮 preganjanje

🇮🇸 ofsókn

🇰🇿 қудалау

🇬🇪 დევნა

🇦🇿 təqib

🇲🇽 persecución

Word origin

The word 'persecute' originates from the Latin term 'persecutus', the past participle of 'persequi', which means 'to follow through'. This Latin root combines 'per-', meaning 'through', and 'sequi', meaning 'to follow'. The word was adapted into Middle English in the late 14th century, retaining its meaning of pursuing or following someone to afflict harm or distress upon them. Historically, persecution has been a prominent theme in religious contexts, where individuals or groups were often targeted because of their beliefs, leading to societal and cultural ramifications. Over time, the term has expanded to encompass a broader range of contexts, including political and social spheres.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,109, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.