persecute
gb/pˈɚsəkjˌut/ us/pˈɚsəkjˌut/
C1
Anglais
Sens
0 sens
Verbe
formal
C1
action
1
oppress a group for identity
to be cruel to someone for who they are or what they believe
Schéma d’usage :
persecute [someone/a group] (for [their beliefs/identity])
Erreur fréquente :
Don’t use it for one small rude act; it usually means repeated, serious unfair treatment.
Synonymes
oppress (emphasizes keeping people down through power and control.)
|
victimize (focuses on making someone a victim through unfair treatment.)
|
target (less strong; highlights choosing someone for harm or discrimination.)
Antonymes
protect (means keep someone safe rather than harm them.)
|
tolerate (means accept differences instead of punishing them.)
Collocations
persecute minorities
|persecute religious groups
|persecute political opponents
|persecute dissidents
|systematically persecute
|be persecuted for your beliefs
|persecute on religious grounds
|persecute on political grounds
|persecute journalists
|persecute refugees
Thèmes
society
|politics
|law
|human_rights
|conflict
Exemples
- The regime persecuted activists who spoke out against corruption.
- In the past, many people were persecuted for their religion.
- She fled the country after being persecuted for her political views.
Exemples pédagogiques
- They persecuted him because of his religion.
- Some groups are persecuted for their beliefs.
Verbe
formal
C1
action
2
harass or trouble repeatedly
to keep bothering or bullying someone
Schéma d’usage :
persecute [someone] (with [questions/complaints])
Erreur fréquente :
In this sense it is still strong and negative; for mild annoyance, words like "pester" are more common.
Synonymes
harass (common and direct; often used for repeated unwanted behavior.)
|
hound (suggests pursuing someone aggressively with demands or criticism.)
|
torment (emphasizes causing severe mental suffering.)
Antonymes
leave alone (means stop bothering someone.)
|
support (means help rather than trouble someone.)
Collocations
persecute someone relentlessly
|persecute someone with questions
|feel persecuted at work
|persecute a colleague
|persecute a neighbor
|persecute someone for years
|persecute someone unfairly
|persecute someone over minor mistakes
Thèmes
relationships
|emotions
|work
Exemples
- He said he was being persecuted by his manager for small mistakes.
- The tabloids persecuted her with intrusive questions after the trial.
- Stop persecuting your little brother and let him play in peace.
Exemples pédagogiques
- She felt persecuted at school.
- Don’t persecute him with questions.
Verbe
literary
C2
action
3
pursue to catch or harm
to chase someone to hurt or punish them
Schéma d’usage :
persecute [someone]
Erreur fréquente :
This sense is uncommon in everyday English; "chase" or "hunt down" is usually used instead.
Synonymes
pursue (neutral about motive; can lack the sense of cruelty.)
|
hunt down (stronger; suggests searching for someone to capture or kill.)
Antonymes
evade (means avoid capture instead of pursuing.)
|
retreat (means move away rather than pursue.)
Collocations
persecute an enemy
|persecute the fleeing troops
|persecute someone across the border
Thèmes
conflict
|crime
Exemples
- The soldiers persecuted the retreating army for miles.
- In the story, the hero is persecuted by assassins sent by the king.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
persecute
API
GB/pˈɚsəkjˌut/
US/pˈɚsəkjˌut/
Syllabes et accentuation
per - se - cute (3 syllabes)
Stress on 1st syllable (per)
Formes du mot
Verb
- Base: persecute
- 3rd Person Singular: persecutes
- Present Participle: persecuting
- Past: persecuted
Famille de mots
Forms
persecutes
verb
persecuting
verb
persecuted
verb
Core family
persecution
noun B2
persecutor
noun
Advanced or less common
persecutory
adjective
Expressions
Aucune expression n’est encore associée à cette entrée.