persecute

Verb

cause to suffer
- "Jews were persecuted in the former Soviet Union"
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.
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.

Examples

He who persecutes one will persecute all.
Humans have been persecuting wolves in this forest for centuries.

Origin / 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.

Synonyms

oppress, annoy, distress, harass

Scrabble Score: 13

persecute: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
persecute: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
persecute: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 16

persecute: valid Words With Friends Word