PURSUE Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of pursue are chase , follow , and trail . While all these words mean "to go after or on the track of something or someone," pursue suggests a continuing effort to overtake, reach, or attain. // pursued the criminal through narrow streets

Q: When might 'chase' be a better fit than 'pursue'?

While in some cases nearly identical to pursue , chase implies going swiftly after and trying to overtake something fleeing or running. // a dog chasing a cat

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

The synonyms follow and pursue are sometimes interchangeable, but follow puts less emphasis upon speed or intent to overtake. // friends followed me home in their car

Q: When would 'trail' be a good substitute for 'pursue'?

In some situations, the words trail and pursue are roughly equivalent. However, trail may stress a following of tracks or traces rather than a visible object. // trail deer // trailed a suspect across the country

pursue

verb

pər-ˈsü

Definition of pursue next

as in to chase

to go after or on the track of the policeman doggedly pursued the pickpocket through the crowded subway station

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to seek

to go in search of urged the graduates to pursue personal fulfillment instead of financial success

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word pursue distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of pursue are chase, follow, and trail. While all these words mean "to go after or on the track of something or someone," pursue suggests a continuing effort to overtake, reach, or attain.

pursued the criminal through narrow streets

When might chase be a better fit than pursue?

While in some cases nearly identical to pursue, chase implies going swiftly after and trying to overtake something fleeing or running.

a dog chasing a cat

When is it sensible to use follow instead of pursue?

The synonyms follow and pursue are sometimes interchangeable, but follow puts less emphasis upon speed or intent to overtake.

friends followed me home in their car

When would trail be a good substitute for pursue?

In some situations, the words trail and pursue are roughly equivalent. However, trail may stress a following of tracks or traces rather than a visible object.

trail deer

trailed a suspect across the country

Examples of pursue in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Recent Examples on the Web People from low-income backgrounds typically cannot afford to pursue art careers, and the tumultuous economic situation of Nigeria only serves to magnify that problem. —

Tobe Otuogbodor, ARTnews.com, 4 Nov. 2024 While Peter pursued the more conventional path of starting as a management trainee at a studio after grad school in New York, Jon was an unlikely success story. —

Kim Masters, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Nov. 2024 Meet Our Testers Kelly Bastone moved to the Colorado Rockies in 1998 and has pursued outdoor sports ever since. —

Kelly Bastone, Outside Online, 4 Nov. 2024 Plus, reports have shown that comments like these perpetuate negative stereotypes and discourage young women from pursuing leadership roles. —

Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pursue

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pursue

Verb

Bucks are cruising, chasing, and tending estrus does.

Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 7 Nov. 2024
There was shouting and general mayhem, punches were thrown and some local Democratic and election officials were chased around the building.

Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 5 Nov. 2024