persecution
unfair treatment for identity or beliefs
Very bad and unfair treatment of a group of people over a long time, usually because of their religion, race, or political ideas.
persecution of [group] for [reason]
- They sought asylum abroad to escape religious persecution in their home country.
- The report documents decades of political persecution directed at opposition leaders.
- International law forbids the persecution of ethnic minorities.
- Her grandparents survived persecution during the war and eventually resettled overseas.
- Activists are calling for an end to the persecution of journalists who criticize the government.
- Many people left the country because of religious persecution.
- The new law could lead to persecution of political groups.
- He told his story of persecution to the immigration officer.
- The group fights against the persecution of women and girls.
- They are victims of persecution because of their beliefs.
persistent cruel treatment of a person
When one person is treated very badly again and again over time, in a way that makes their life very hard.
persecution of [someone] by [someone]
- She described years of persecution at the hands of her classmates.
- The novel follows a boy whose quiet life is shattered by the persecution he suffers at school.
- He finally reported the ongoing persecution by his supervisor to the human resources department.
- The film shows the emotional damage caused by the persecution of a shy student.
- Her diary entries reveal how isolated she felt under her stepfather's constant persecution.
- He could not work well because of persecution from his boss.
- The child felt alone because of years of persecution at school.
- She left the job to escape persecution by her manager.
- The book tells the story of a man and his persecution by his neighbors.
- Persecution by other students made him afraid to go to class.
- Base: persecution
- Plural: persecution, persecutions
flee persecution
1run away to avoid persecution
To leave your home or country so that people cannot continue to treat you very badly and unfairly.
- Thousands have fled persecution and are now living in refugee camps.
- His family fled persecution when he was a child and eventually settled overseas.
persecution complex
1unfounded belief of being persecuted
A strong feeling that other people are against you or want to hurt you, even when there is little or no real proof.
- His friends joked that he had a persecution complex because he assumed everyone was out to get him.
- The therapist suggested that her constant suspicion came from a deep persecution complex.
political persecution
1cruel treatment for political views
Unfair and often violent treatment of people because of their political ideas or actions.
- He claimed that the charges against him were a form of political persecution.
- International observers condemned the political persecution of opposition members.
racial persecution
1cruel treatment because of race
Unfair and often violent treatment of people because of their race or ethnic group.
- They documented cases of racial persecution carried out by security forces.
- The museum includes an exhibit on racial persecution in the last century.
religious persecution
1cruel treatment because of religion
Unfair and often violent treatment of people over a long time because of the religion they follow.
- Many families fled the country to escape religious persecution.
- The documentary explores centuries of religious persecution in the region.
victim of persecution
1person who suffers persecution
A person who is treated very badly and unfairly over a long time, often because of their group or beliefs.
- He described himself as a victim of persecution under the old regime.
- The charity offers legal help to victims of persecution.