student asking question

What does "persecute" mean? Is it harassment?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

Yes. "Persecute" means to harass or to treat someone cruelly because of race, religion, etc. Being persecuted usually includes bodily harm to the person, but it can also include not leaving that person alone. Ex: Many Jews were persecuted in World War 2. Ex: She was persecuted for being gay.

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