The meaning of PERSECUTE is to harass or punish in a manner designed to injure, grieve, or afflict; specifically : to cause to suffer because of belief. How to use persecute in a sentence. …

PERSECUTE definition: 1. to treat someone unfairly or cruelly over a long period of time because of their race, religion…. Learn more.

To persecute is to make someone suffer or to keep them in bad circumstances. In some parts of the world governments or military groups persecute, or punish, people for religious beliefs, …

PERSECUTE meaning: 1 : to treat (someone) cruelly or unfairly especially because of race or religious or political beliefs; 2 : to constantly annoy or bother (someone)

persecute somebody (for something) to treat somebody in a cruel and unfair way, especially because of their race, religion or political beliefs. Throughout history, people have been …

to pursue with harassing or oppressive treatment, especially because of religious or political beliefs, ethnic or racial origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation. to annoy or trouble …

If someone is persecuted, they are treated cruelly and unfairly, often because of their race or beliefs. In the Middle Ages, the Church persecuted scientists like Copernicus.