Persecute /ˈpɜː. sɪ. kjuːt/ /ˈpɝː-/ verb [ t ] to treat someone unfairly or cruelly over a long period of time because of their race, religion

merchant of doom/gloom UK disapproving
someone who is always saying that bad things are going to happen
With exports rising and unemployment falling, the merchants of gloom are having to revise their opinions of the economy.
sickly /ˈsɪk.li/ adjective ILL
1. weak, unhealthy and often ill
a sickly child/plant
Her face was a sickly colour when she came out of the dentist's.
sickly /ˈsɪk.li/ adjective VOMIT
2. disapproving causing a slight feeling of wanting to vomit
A sickly smell of decaying fish came from the dirty river.
The chocolate cake was sickly sweet (= too sweet) .
3. disapproving emotional, in an embarrassing way
His books are sometimes accused of sickly sentimentality .
the outskirts /ðiˈaʊt.skɜːts/ /-skɜːrts/ plural noun
the areas that form the edge of a town or city
The factory is in/on the outskirts of New Delhi.
long /lɒŋ/ /lɑːŋ/ verb formal
long for sth ; long to do sth
to want something very much
She longed to see him again.
I'm longing for news of him.
sketch /sketʃ/ noun [ C ] SIMPLE SHAPE/FORM
1. a simple, quickly-made drawing which does not have many details
My mother made a (pencil) sketch of my brother reading a book.
2. a short written or spoken story which does not have many details
brace /breɪs/ noun SUPPORT
1. [ C ] plural braces something that connects, fastens, strengthens or supports
I had to wear a brace ( US usually braces ) for my crooked teeth when I was a teenager.
He was recently fitted with a brace for his bad back.
2. braces
a. UK ( US suspenders ) a pair of narrow straps which stretch from the front of the trousers over your shoulders to the back to hold them up
a pair of braces