To persecute someone means to repeatedly treat them cruelly or unfairly, especially because of their religion, beliefs, race, or identity. When a government persecutes a group of people, it might pass unjust laws against them, imprison them without fair trials, or force them to leave their homes. Throughout history, people have been persecuted for practicing their faith, speaking unpopular ideas, or simply being different from those in power.

Persecution is more than a single mean act or disagreement. It's sustained, systematic mistreatment. If a bully picks on someone once, that's terrible, but it's not persecution. But if that bully targets the same person day after day, enlisting others to join in and making that person's life miserable over weeks or months, that repeated, organized cruelty comes closer to persecution.

Many people throughout history have fled persecution, seeking safety in places where they could live freely. The Pilgrims who sailed to America in 1620 were escaping religious persecution in England. Today, refugees often leave their countries because they face persecution.