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.

Illustration for the English word “persecution”

Example sentence

Many refugees fled their home country to escape religious persecution.

Synonyms & related words

More words in ranks 5,901–6,000