persecute

Definition of Persecute in English :

1. oppress, persecute

cause to suffer

Example Sentences:
'Jews were persecuted in the former Soviet Union'

WordNet Lexical Database for English. Princeton University. 2010.

Persecute

verb (transitive)

1.

to oppress, harass, or maltreat, esp because of race, religion, etc

2.

to bother persistently

verb transitiveWord forms: ˈperseˌcuted or ˈperseˌcuting

1.

to afflict or harass constantly so as to injure or distress; oppress cruelly, esp. for reasons of religion, politics, or race

2.

to trouble or annoy constantly

persecuted by mosquitoes

tr.v. per·se·cut·ed, per·se·cut·ing, per·se·cutes

1. To oppress or harass with ill-treatment, especially because of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or beliefs.

2. To annoy persistently; bother: persecuted the babysitter with foolish questions.