преследовали

were chasing, were pursuing, were persecuting, were harassing

p rʲ ɪ s ⁽ʲ ⁾ lʲ e d ə v ə lʲ ɪ → преследовать
пре very; completely or through + след trace, track, footprint + ова verb-forming suffix, often meaning “to perform or engage in [the base’s activity]” + ли past plural
verb · plural · past indicative Rare #44,939
were chasing, were pursuing
RU: Собаку преследовали мальчишки по всей улице.
EN: The boys were chasing the dog all along the street.
were persecuting, were harassing Often used about people being treated unfairly or targeted (e.g., by authorities or others).
RU: Их преследовали за их взгляды.
EN: They were persecuted for their views.
Conjugation of преследовать
Indicative past
преследовалпреследовали

И не преследовали, как Шарля Дютуа.

And they didn’t persecute him like Charles Dutoit.

— Тар (2022)

Меня преследовали, потому, что я не умирал.

I was persecuted because I was not dying.

— Человек с Земли (2007)

Их преследовали.

They were pursued.

— Властелин колец: Две крепости (2002)

Мы преследовали Тома.

We were chasing Tom.