persecute means to pursue in a manner to do harm or cruelty to; especially, because of the victim's race, sexual identity, or adherence to a particular belief. Lexicurio rates it Rare gem — a strength score of 71 out of 100.
persecute is pronounced /ˈpɝsəkjut/.
Why “persecute” is a great word
PERSECUTE — [Verb] To subject someone to sustained hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of their race, religion, or political beliefs. From Middle French persécuter, from Ecclesiastical Latin persecutor, from Latin persequor, persecutus ("follow up, pursue"), from per- ("through") + sequor ("follow"). First recorded in English 1400–50. Unlike "prosecute," which implies a formal, lawful process, or "oppress," which describes a broad, systemic subjugation, to persecute is the targeted, relentless hounding of the individual. It is the midnight knock, the whispered denunciation that empties a shop, the meticulous excision of a name from the record—a hunt so dedicated it mistakes cruelty for principle, where the pursuer follows not to capture, but to erase.
Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French persécuter, from Ecclesiastical Latin persecutor, from Latin persequor, persecutus (“follow up, pursue”), from per- (“through”) + sequor (“follow”) (English sequel). Compare prosecute. Cf. also pursue.
verb
- To pursue in a manner to do harm or cruelty to; especially, because of the victim's race, sexual identity, or adherence to a particular belief.“He who persecutes one will persecute all.”
- To harass with importunity; to pursue with persistent solicitations; to annoy.
- To kill many of one species of animal, with the intent of removing them from human habitats.“Humans have been persecuting wolves in this forest for centuries.”