1. (因种族、信仰）迫害，残害，压迫
    If someone is persecuted, they are treated cruelly and unfairly, often because of their race or beliefs.

    e.g. Mr Weaver and his family have been persecuted by the authorities for their beliefs...
           韦弗先生和他的家人由于其信仰而遭到当局的迫害。
    e.g. They began by brutally persecuting the Catholic Church.
           他们开始残酷迫害天主教。

2. 找…的麻烦；骚扰；纠缠
    If you say that someone is persecuting you, you mean that they are deliberately making your life difficult.

persecute的反义词

    e.g. He said his first wife persecuted him with her unreasonable demands...
           他说他的第一任妻子总是拿无理要求纠缠他。
    e.g. Vic was bullied by his father and persecuted by his sisters.
           维克受到父亲的欺压和姊妹们的纠缠。