How to pronounce persecute
Say it like PUR-suh-kyoot. Persecute has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce persecute. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PUR
- suh
- kyoot
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Persecute pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- kyootKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of persecute
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: PUR-sih-kyoot.
What does persecute mean?
- To pursue in a manner to do harm or cruelty to; especially, because of the victim's race, sexual identity, or adherence to a particular belief.“He who persecutes one will persecute all.”
- To harass with importunity; to pursue with persistent solicitations; to annoy.
- To kill many of one species of animal, with the intent of removing them from human habitats.“Humans have been persecuting wolves in this forest for centuries.”
Where does persecute come from?
Borrowed from Middle French persécuter, from Ecclesiastical Latin persecutor, from Latin persequor, persecutus (“follow up, pursue”), from per- (“through”) + sequor (“follow”) (English sequel).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying persecute
How do you pronounce persecute?
Say PUR-suh-kyoot. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɝsəkjut/. In British English it is /ˈpɜːsɪkjuːt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in persecute?
Persecute has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PUR). Broken into parts: PUR · suh · kyoot.
Is persecute pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈpɜːsɪkjuːt/ (PUR-sih-kyoot).