1. (n.) The infliction of loss, pain, or death for adherence to a particular creed or mode of worship\.

2. (n.) The state or condition of being persecuted.

3. (n.) A carrying on; prosecution.

McCarthyism abuse affliction aggravation annoyance bad news bedevilment bore bother botheration bothersomeness bullying clawing crashing bore cruciation crucifixion devilment difficulty dogging downer drag exasperation harassing harassment harrying headache hectoring hell hell upon earth holocaust horror hounding ill-treatment irritation laceration lancination maltreatment martyrdom molestation nightmare nuisance oppression outrage passion pest problem punishment purgatory rack red-baiting subjugation suppression torment tormenting torture trial trouble tyranny vexation vexatiousness victimization witch-hunt witch-hunting worriment worry