pursuit

noun

pur·​suit pər-ˈsüt 

-ˈsyüt

1

: the act of pursuing

2

: an activity that one engages in as a vocation, profession, or avocation : occupation

Synonyms

• chase
• chasing
• dogging
• following
• hounding
• pursuing
• shadowing
• tagging
• tailing
• tracing
• tracking
• trailing

Choose the Right Synonym for pursuit

work, employment, occupation, calling, pursuit, métier, business mean a specific sustained activity engaged in especially in earning one's living.

work may apply to any purposeful activity whether remunerative or not.

her work as a hospital volunteer

employment implies work for which one has been engaged and is being paid by an employer.

your employment with this firm is hereby terminated

occupation implies work in which one engages regularly especially as a result of training.

his occupation as a trained auto mechanic

calling applies to an occupation viewed as a vocation or profession.

the ministry seemed my true calling

pursuit suggests a trade, profession, or avocation followed with zeal or steady interest.

her family considered medicine the only proper pursuit

métier implies a calling or pursuit for which one believes oneself to be especially fitted.

acting was my one and only métier

business suggests activity in commerce or the management of money and affairs.

the business of managing a hotel

Examples of pursuit in a Sentence

The hounds were running in the woods in pursuit of a fox.

She enjoys reading, knitting, and other quiet pursuits.

Recent Examples on the Web

An incredibly game Barbara Crampton aids Combs in his wide-eyed pursuit of looniness. —Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 26 Apr. 2024

Approximately 38% of those pursuits resulted in a collision, and roughly a quarter resulted in a collision that caused injuries or death. —Ashley Ahn, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024

The child was recovered safely after Huizar, 39, led Oregon State Patrol troopers on a pursuit that ended with his losing control of his vehicle and hitting a median. —Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 24 Apr. 2024

Sarkissian finds that successful policy is grounded in a realistic and practical understanding of the international and regional situation and a visionary leader’s single-minded pursuit of policy goals. —Shivshankar Menon, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024

With 12 charming towns, nature and nightlife options galore, snowy pursuits beckoning, and culinary gems around every corner, there’s an activity for everyone. —Sunset Magazine, 23 Apr. 2024

The driver of the Ford caused a three-vehicle collision on the service road of SH 114 and E. Southlake Boulevard, officials said, and the pursuit ended. —Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2024

With any macabre object, the line between morbid curiosity and the pursuit of understanding may be hard to draw. —Julia Jacobs, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024

Apart from her creative pursuits, Neve has lobbied for stricter gun control in California with the organization TeamENOUGH. —Katie Mannion, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French pursute, from pursure

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pursuit

• hot pursuit
• in close pursuit
• in full pursuit
• in hot pursuit
• in pursuit of
• pursuit plane

Kids Definition

pursuit

noun

pur·​suit pər-ˈsüt 

1

: the act of pursuing

2

: an activity done especially for pleasure