CHASE Synonyms: 231 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'chase' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of chase are follow , pursue , and trail . While all these words mean "to go after or on the track of something or someone," chase implies going swiftly after and trying to overtake something fleeing or running. // a dog chasing a cat

Q: When could 'follow' be used to replace 'chase'?

The words follow and chase are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, follow puts less emphasis upon speed or intent to overtake. // friends followed me home in their car

Q: When is it sensible to use 'pursue' instead of 'chase'?

While the synonyms pursue and chase are close in meaning, pursue suggests a continuing effort to overtake, reach, or attain. // pursued the criminal through narrow streets

Q: When can 'trail' be used instead of 'chase'?

The synonyms trail and chase are sometimes interchangeable, but trail may stress a following of tracks or traces rather than a visible object. // trail deer // trailed a suspect across the country

chase 1 of 2

verb

Definition of chase next

as in to out

to drive or force out chased the cat out of the garden

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to pursue

to go after or on the track of a dog that likes to chase cars

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to hunt

to seek out (game) for food or sport owls often chase mice in the dark

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to race

to proceed or move quickly they chased all over the place to find the missing child

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

chase

2 of 2

noun

ˈchās

as in prey

an animal that is hunted or killed the gazelle is a favorite chase of lions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in pursuit

the act of going after or in the tracks of another a high-speed car chase

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word chase distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of chase are follow, pursue, and trail. While all these words mean "to go after or on the track of something or someone," chase implies going swiftly after and trying to overtake something fleeing or running.

a dog chasing a cat

When could follow be used to replace chase?

The words follow and chase are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, follow puts less emphasis upon speed or intent to overtake.

friends followed me home in their car

When is it sensible to use pursue instead of chase?

While the synonyms pursue and chase are close in meaning, pursue suggests a continuing effort to overtake, reach, or attain.

pursued the criminal through narrow streets

When can trail be used instead of chase?

The synonyms trail and chase are sometimes interchangeable, but trail may stress a following of tracks or traces rather than a visible object.

trail deer

trailed a suspect across the country

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of chase

Verb

Captain Anze Kopitar had two assists as the Kings chased Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin in the second period. —

Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2024 Though Frontier is trying to chase higher-end customers amid a period of difficulty for low-fare airlines, the company still makes a lot of its money from fees for things like snacks and seat assignments. —

Melvin Backman, Quartz, 4 Dec. 2024

Noun

However, one taste of genuine chocolate was enough to convince the James Beard Award-winning writer that the soul of cacao still exists, and to send him on a wild goose chase that would take him from the rainforests of Bolivia and Brazil to Belize and Guatemala to track it down in the wild. —

Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Dec. 2024 Or will West Ham United put another wrench in the Gunners' title chase? —

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for chase

Recent Examples of Synonyms for chase

Verb

Egerton’s New York City outing with Bennet precedes the release of his latest movie: Carry-On, debuting on Netflix on Dec. 13.

Jack Smart, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024
Things take a twist when her partner, also an agent, gets outed by Russian intelligence and vanishes mysteriously.

Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 5 Dec. 2024