Master confusing words with ease
Persecute vs. Prosecute
Persecute
/ˈpɜːsɪkjuːt/Examples:
The government vowed to persecute any dissidents fiercely.Many fled the country to escape religious persecution.Campaigners argue the minority group is unfairly persecuted.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Prosecute
/ˈprɒsɪkjuːt/Examples:
And very likely prosecuted and executed for murder just the same.They can prosecute me if I do that."I have no money to help prosecute a scoundrel like that.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- Persecute and prosecute both derive from the Latin word sequi, meaning to follow, but they have very different meanings.
- Remember that persecute is concerned with oppression and describes unfair treatment often due to beliefs or identity.
- Prosecute is more related to legal contexts and refers to taking legal action against someone accused of a crime.
- Think of persecute as persistent harassment and prosecute as persistent legal action.
- Use persecute when discussing victims of bullying or oppression, and prosecute in a court or legal setting.
© 2025 Lithium Lab Pte Ltd