persecution vs abuse

persecution and abuse both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
persecution	Yes	No	No	No
abuse	Yes	No	Yes	No

As nouns, abuse is a hypernym of persecution; that is, abuse is a word with a broader meaning than persecution:

persecution: the act of persecuting (especially on the basis of race or religion)
abuse: cruel or inhumane treatment

Other hypernyms of persecution include ill-treatment, ill-usage, maltreatment.

persecution (noun)	abuse (noun)
the act of persecuting (especially on the basis of race or religion)	improper or excessive use
	cruel or inhumane treatment
	a rude expression intended to offend or hurt

persecution (verb)	abuse (verb)
	change the inherent purpose or function of something
	use wrongly or improperly or excessively
	use foul or abusive language towards
	treat badly