Which should you use, persecute or prosecute? The verb persecute may mean to treat someone unfairly or cruelly over a long period of time because of their race, religion or political beliefs, or to harass someone persistently. The verb prosecute means to institute or conduct legal proceedings against.
| Incorrect: |
Trespassers will be persecuted.
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| Correct: |
Trespassers will be prosecuted.
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| Incorrect: |
They were prosecuted because of their political beliefs.
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| Correct: |
They were persecuted because of their political beliefs.
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