verb (v)

• cause to suffer(verb.social)

  Example:
  Jews were persecuted in the former Soviet Union.
  

  Synonym:
  oppress
  

  source: wordnet30
• To pursue in a manner to injure, grieve, or afflict; to beset with cruelty or malignity; to harass; especially, to afflict, harass, punish, or put to death, for adherence to a particular religious creed or mode of worship.(verb)

  source: webster1913