# persecute

> English word · Verb · IPA /ˈpɝsəkjut/ · frequency rank #37,625

## Definitions
1. 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.
2. To harass with importunity; to pursue with persistent solicitations; to annoy.
3. To kill many of one species of animal, with the intent of removing them from human habitats.

## 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.

## Easily confused with
- **prosecute** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/persecute-vs-prosecute)
- **persecuted** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/persecute-vs-persecuted)

## Common misspellings (13)
`eprsecute`, `perescute`, `perrsecute`, `persceute`, `perseccute`, `persectue`, `persecuet`, `persecutte`, `perseucte`, `perssecute`, `pesrecute`, `ppersecute`, `presecute`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/persecute