pursue

verb pur·sue \ pər-ˈsü , -ˈsyü \

Definition of pursue

pursued; pursuing

transitive verb

1 :to follow in order to overtake, capture, kill, or defeat

2 :to find or employ measures to obtain or accomplish :seek

pursue a goal

3 :to proceed along

pursues a northern course

4 a :to engage in

pursue a hobby

b :to follow up or proceed with

pursue an argument

5 :to continue to afflict :haunt

was pursued by horrible memories

6 :²chase 1c

pursued by dozens of fans

intransitive verb

:to go in pursuit

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pursuer

noun

See pursue defined for English-language learners

See pursue defined for kids

Examples of pursue in a Sentence

It is this peace among the Great Powers—at least for the near term—that makes it truly possible both to pursue my vision of the post-Cold War world and, at the same time, to hedge against failure by maintaining the capacity to protect ourselves and our interests … —Robert S. McNamara, In Retrospect, 1995
The monster truck pursued him at insane speeds, through phone booths and gas pumps and even over cliffs, but he never knew why. —Hunter S. Thompson, Rolling Stone, 14-28 July 1994
In a world of nation-states the assumption that governments will pursue their own interests gives order and predictability to international affairs. —Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., American Heritage, 3 May/June 1994
Hounds pursued the fox for miles.
The criminal is being pursued by police.
He chose to pursue a college degree.
She wants to pursue a legal career.

Recent Examples of pursue from the Web

Manziel underwent physical and medical tests with the Tiger-Cats but the team has decided not to pursue the former Browns quarterback any further.

— chris chavez, SI.com, "Report: Hamilton Tiger-Cats Worked Out Johnny Manziel Last Week," 30 Aug. 2017
The Canadian notice comes a month after the SEC ruled that one high profile ICO, which last year raised $150 million to pursue an automated investment strategy, was in fact a securities offering.

— jeff john roberts, Fortune, "Canada Pours Cold Water on ‘Initial Coin Offerings’," 28 Aug. 2017
One day Nassar hopes to have more of an opportunity to make a name for himself outside Gaza and pursue international stories.

— TIME.com, "At Home in Gaza," 26 Aug. 2017
Ultimately, though, the Tuckers hope to inspire other adults, like Katie, who want to go back to school to pursue their lifelong dreams.

— Southern Living, "Cutest Photo Ever? Dallas Mom Poses with Son to Celebrate First Day of School," 23 Aug. 2017
The surgeons then showed some concern about Tiffany's choice to pursue such a dramatic transformation in a short time.

— rosemary donahue, Allure, "This Botched Patient Had 13 Surgeries to Look Like Ivanka Trump," 21 Aug. 2017
After years of pursuing a deal to gain greater global scale, the Italian-American automaker recently rejected an acquisition bid by an unidentified Chinese company, according to Automotive News.

— brent snavely, Detroit Free Press, "Chinese automaker reportedly bids for Fiat Chrysler," 14 Aug. 2017
Weiss hopes his readers and those who have already assisted him through donations will help students pursue vocational careers.

— rafael guerrero, Elgin Courier-News, "Retired Bartlett High teacher's book documents Kenya visits," 14 Aug. 2017
Not everyone sees why MATS would be worth pursuing.

— jeffrey dastin, The Christian Science Monitor, "Amazon ramps up research on pre-made meals, but will home cooks buy them?," 11 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pursue.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of pursue

Middle English, from Anglo-French pursure, pursiure, from Latin prosequi, from pro- forward + sequi to follow — more at pro-, sue

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

pursue Synonyms

Synonyms

bird-dog, chase, course, dog, hound, follow, run, shadow, tag, tail, trace, track, trail

Antonyms

guide, lead, pilot

Related Words

accompany, chaperone (or chaperon), escort; hunt, search (for), seek; eye, observe, watch

Near Antonyms

head

Synonym Discussion of pursue

chase, pursue, follow, trail 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

pursue suggests a continuing effort to overtake, reach, or attain.

- pursued the criminal through narrow streets

follow puts less emphasis upon speed or intent to overtake.

- friends followed me home in their car

trail may stress a following of tracks or traces rather than a visible object.

- trail deer
- trailed a suspect across the country

PURSUE Defined for English Language Learners

pursue

verb

Definition of pursue for English Language Learners

: to follow and try to catch or capture (someone or something) for usually a long distance or time
: to try to get or do (something) over a period of time
: to be involved in (an activity)