persecution
noun/ˌpɜrsɪˈkjuʃən/
Frequency rank: #5,908 of 20,003 in the WORDED list (wordfreq data)
Meaning
hostility and cruel treatment directed at someone, especially because of their race, religion, or beliefs.

Example sentence
Many refugees fled their home country to escape religious persecution.
Synonyms & related words
More words in ranks 5,901–6,000
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