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.

To harass with importunity; to pursue with persistent solicitations; to annoy.

to harass in a manner designed to injure, grieve, or afflict

cause to suffer; "Jews were persecuted in the former Soviet Union"