Persecutor: meaning, definitions and examples

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persecutor

 

[ ˈpɜːrsɪˌkjuːtər ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in legal context

A person who systematically harasses or oppresses others, especially because of race, religion, or political beliefs.

Synonyms

oppressor, tormentor, tyrant

Examples of usage

  • He was branded as a persecutor for his discriminatory actions.
  • The government has been accused of being a persecutor of religious minorities.
  • The persecutor was finally brought to justice for his crimes.
Context #2 | Noun

in historical context

A person who actively inflicts suffering on others, especially in the past in relation to religious beliefs.

Synonyms

executioner, inquisitor, torturer

Examples of usage

  • The Roman Empire was known for its persecutors of early Christians.
  • Many innocent people were executed by the persecutors during the Inquisition.

Translations

Translations of the word "persecutor" in other languages:

🇵🇹 perseguidor

🇮🇳 उत्पीड़क

🇩🇪 Verfolger

🇮🇩 penganiaya

🇺🇦 переслідувач

🇵🇱 prześladowca

🇯🇵 迫害者

🇫🇷 persécuteur

🇪🇸 perseguidor

🇹🇷 zulmeten

🇰🇷 박해자

🇸🇦 مضطهِد

🇨🇿 pronásledovatel

🇸🇰 prenasledovateľ

🇨🇳 迫害者

🇸🇮 preiskovalec

🇮🇸 ofsækjandi

🇰🇿 қуғындаушы

🇬🇪 დამსჯელი

🇦🇿 təqibçi

🇲🇽 perseguidor

Word origin

The word 'persecutor' originated from the Latin word 'persequor', meaning 'to pursue, to oppress'. It has been used throughout history to describe individuals or groups who systematically harass or oppress others, often based on differences in race, religion, or beliefs. The term has been prevalent in legal and historical contexts, highlighting the actions of those who inflict suffering on others.

See also: persecute, persecuted, persecution.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,339, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.