persecuted

persecution noun [ C or U ] UK /ˌpɜː.sɪˈkjuː.ʃən/ US /ˌpɝː.səˈkjuː.ʃən/ unfair or cruel treatment over a long period of time because of race, religion, or political beliefs: They left the country out of fear of persecution. refugees escaping from political persecution The term has been thrown...