persecution
pur-suh-KYOO-shuhn
/ˌpɜː.sɪˈkjuː.ʃən/
Hostility and ill-treatment, especially on the grounds of ethnicity, religion, or political beliefs.
Implies systemic, repeated harassment or oppression by powerful groups or state authorities.
The story behind the word. Derived from Latin 'persequi', meaning to pursue relentlessly or hunt down until captured. In early Rome, it meant pursuing a debtor or legal enemy, but late Latin writers adopted it specifically to describe systematic state hunts against Christian minorities.
Word relationships
- oppression: Oppression is broad systemic subjugation, while persecution often involves targeted active cruelty.
- protection: Protection safeguards individuals, whereas persecution targetedly harms them.
Commonly confused with
- prosecution: Prosecution is legal trial by law enforcement; persecution is wrongful harassment.
Word family
- persecute (verb): To subject someone to hostility and ill-treatment.
Collocations
- escape persecution
- religious persecution
- political persecution
Example sentences
- "Refugees fled across the border to escape severe religious persecution in their home region." Human Rights Law
Memory hook
PERSECUTION involves PURSUING someone continuously to cause harm. Relentless targeted oppression.
When not to use
Do not confuse with prosecution, which refers to legal court proceedings.
Fun facts
- The English words 'persecute' and 'prosecute' both derive from Latin 'sequi' (to follow), differing only in their Latin prefixes.
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