Persecute, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Persecuted; p. pr. & vb. n. Persecuting.]
Etymology: [F. persécueter, L. persequi, persecutus, to pursue, prosecute; per + sequi to follow, pursue. See Per-, and Second.]
1. 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. Do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. Matt. v. 44.
2. To harass with importunity; to pursue with persistent solicitations; to annoy. Johnson.
Syn. -- To oppress; harass; distress; worry; annoy.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for persecute; he lists it under abuse.
Where he writes about it:
To persecute one is to ill-treat him for opinion's sake, commonly for religious belief; to oppress is generally for political or pecuniary motives. — from abuse