1
as in tracking
the act of going after or in the tracks of another the cat ran down the street with a pair of dogs in pursuit

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in hobby
an activity outside of one's regular occupation that is engaged in primarily for pleasure a workaholic with few pursuits outside of the office

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun pursuit differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of pursuit are business, calling, employment, métier, occupation, and work. While all these words mean "a specific sustained activity engaged in especially in earning one's living," pursuit suggests a trade, profession, or avocation followed with zeal or steady interest.

her family considered medicine the only proper pursuit

When is business a more appropriate choice than pursuit?

While in some cases nearly identical to pursuit, business suggests activity in commerce or the management of money and affairs.

the business of managing a hotel

When might calling be a better fit than pursuit?

The meanings of calling and pursuit largely overlap; however, calling applies to an occupation viewed as a vocation or profession.

the ministry seemed my true calling

When is it sensible to use employment instead of pursuit?

The words employment and pursuit can be used in similar contexts, but employment implies work for which one has been engaged and is being paid by an employer.

your employment with this firm is hereby terminated

When would métier be a good substitute for pursuit?

The synonyms métier and pursuit are sometimes interchangeable, but métier implies a calling or pursuit for which one believes oneself to be especially fitted.

acting was my one and only métier

In what contexts can occupation take the place of pursuit?

While the synonyms occupation and pursuit are close in meaning, occupation implies work in which one engages regularly especially as a result of training.

his occupation as a trained auto mechanic

When can work be used instead of pursuit?

Although the words work and pursuit have much in common, work may apply to any purposeful activity whether remunerative or not.

her work as a hospital volunteer

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 pursuit Chad Helms, police chief in Crystal City, Mo., said a shooting suspect was hospitalized and two of his officers were unharmed after a shootout between the man and authorities that followed a pursuit that started in Festus. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 14 Dec. 2024 This fantastical rom-com centers on a bishop (David Niven) who prays for help in his pursuit to build a new cathedral. Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 13 Dec. 2024 They both were shot by police in a construction zone after being blocked by a cement truck following the pursuit. Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 12 Dec. 2024 Karoline is pregnant, thanks to a momentary pursuit of pleasure, and that predicament has resulted in the loss of her job at a textile factory. Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pursuit 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pursuit
Noun
  • The week concludes on Friday with the release of the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index, a key measure of inflation tracking changes in consumer spending on goods and services.
    Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 15 Dec. 2024
  • This smartwatch, which is $50 off, includes features like GPS, activity tracking, health insights, and more.
    Maggie Horton, People.com, 15 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Their journey began in a corner of their basement as a hobby, and the company now employs 12 workers.
    Eric Noll, ABC News, 20 Dec. 2024
  • What had begun as a hobby eventually blossomed into a thriving business.
    John Russell, People.com, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Owners of herds where cattle have tested positive for the bird flu virus will also have to provide epidemiological information that allows for contact tracing and disease surveillance.
    Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
  • Herd owners with cattle that tested positive for the virus will also be required to provide epidemiological details to help with contact tracing and disease surveillance under the new rules.
    Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Simon Johnson has spent the majority of his career as a sports reporter since 2000 covering Chelsea, firstly for Hayters and then the London Evening Standard.
    Simon Johnson, The Athletic, 20 Dec. 2024
  • Netflix’s pickup of the two Women’s World Cup tourneys for U.S. members is its latest push into live sports.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • As for the county with the most recreation centers, Park County in Montana led here by a mile with 4.01 per 1000 people, far above the average of 0.45.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
  • If that happens, the Forest Service’s avalanche centers will have to abandon more recreation areas like Seeley Lake.
    Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 23 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • These avocations can take many shapes—traveling, golf, time with family, snowboarding, knitting, hunting, gardening, fishing, church choir, college football, crossword puzzles, theater, cycling, and walking.
    Wes Moss, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
  • What began as an avocation turned into a serious occupation, as Fox Solomon turned to documenting the remnants of segregation visible in Chattanooga and across the South.
    Christina Cacouris, The New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2024
Noun
  • In the box score, the Cincinnati Bengals’ 37-27 victory against the Tennessee Titans will look like a largely irrelevant game between two teams no longer a real factor in the playoff chase (though the Bengals are holding on to the slimmest of hopes).
    Paul Dehner Jr., The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
  • The Arizona Department of Public Safety participated in a chase until the vehicle rolled over.
    Alexis Simmerman, Austin American-Statesman, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Their hope was to make guests feel an unadulterated sense of amusement while immersed in a warm and welcoming space.
    Sydney Gore, Architectural Digest, 13 Dec. 2024
  • Any release of tension is amazing — try to embrace the Sagittarius energy by having some amusement.
    Lisa Stardust, People.com, 27 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near pursuit

Cite this Entry

“Pursuit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pursuit. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on pursuit

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