persecute
/ˈpɜ:sɪkju:t; `pəsɪˌkjut/ v
1 [esp passive 尤用於被动语态
Tn, Tn.pr]
~ sb (for sth) treat sb cruelly, esp because of his race, his political or religious beliefs, etc 迫害某人（尤指基於种族、 政治或宗教信仰等原因）
Throughout history religious minorities have been persecuted (for their beliefs). 纵观历史, 宗教上的少数派始终（因其信仰关系）受迫害.
2 [Tn, Tn.pr]
~ sb (with sth) allow no peace to sb; hound sb 烦扰、 困扰或骚扰某人
Once the affair became public, he was persecuted by the press. 事情公开後, 他便受到新闻界的纠缠.