persecution

persecution — noun

1. long, repeated cruel treatment of a person or group because of who they are or w

1.名詞C2
釋義

long, repeated cruel treatment of a person or group because of who they are or what they believe

例句

Many families fled the country after years of religious persecution.

collocation: religious persecution

The report describes persecution of journalists who criticized the army.

pattern: persecution of + group

同義詞
  • oppression

    often stresses control by a government or other powerful system

  • harassment

    is broader and can describe less extreme repeated mistreatment

  • discrimination

    focuses on unfair treatment, especially in jobs, housing, or services

  • victimization

    emphasizes being made into a victim, often by repeated attacks

反義詞

文法句型

persecution of a group

persecution for a belief

face persecution

escape persecution

用法筆記

Usually uncountable. Most often used for serious harm linked to religion, race, politics, or another identity, unlike sense 2, which can describe personal harassment in daily life.

常見錯誤

❌He suffered persecution because he was late for work.
✅He got in trouble because he was late for work.
💡persecution suggests repeated cruel treatment, usually tied to identity or beliefs, not an ordinary punishment.
❌The refugees escaped prosecution in their country.
✅The refugees escaped persecution in their country.
💡prosecution is legal action in court; persecution is cruel treatment of people.

2. repeated behavior meant to bother someone and wear them down until everyday life

2.名詞C2
釋義

repeated behavior meant to bother someone and wear them down until everyday life feels hard to bear

例句

The new boy complained about persecution from older students on the bus.

pattern: persecution from somebody

Weeks of phone calls and rude notes felt like persecution.

pattern: feel like persecution

同義詞
  • harassment

    is the most general word for repeated bothering or abuse

  • bullying

    often involves stronger people repeatedly hurting or humiliating weaker ones

  • torment

    suggests stronger mental or emotional suffering

  • nagging

    is narrower and usually means repeated complaining or demands

反義詞
  • peace

    suggests freedom from constant bothering

  • support

    implies helpful rather than hostile treatment

文法句型

persecution from somebody

feel like persecution

a campaign of persecution

用法筆記

Often used when someone talks about repeated annoyance from the same person or group. Distinguish from sense 1: this use does not have to involve race, religion, politics, or state power.

常見錯誤

❌My sister's one joke was persecution.
✅My sister's constant jokes felt like persecution.
💡this sense suggests repeated annoyance, not a single act.
❌The alarm clock persecuted me every morning.
✅The alarm clock bothered me every morning.
💡persecution usually describes a person's treatment by people, not an object acting on its own.