Synonyms of pursue

pursue

verb

pər-ˈsü 

1

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

• chase
• track
• follow
• accompany
• escort
• course
• trace
• trail
• dog
• tail
• seek
• run after
• run
• watch
• tag
• shadow
• hound
• hunt
• bird-dog
• observe
• eye
• search (for)
• chaperon
• chaperone

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lead
• guide
• pilot
• head

2

as in to seek

to go in search of

urged the graduates to pursue personal fulfillment instead of financial success

Synonyms & Similar Words

• seek
• chase (down)
• hunt
• search (for or out)
• quest
• shop (for)
• look up
• forage (for)
• look for
• cast about (for)
• cast around (for)
• ferret (out)
• root (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lose
• hide
• ignore
• neglect

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of pursue

And Trump has been far more lenient than his presidential predecessors in pursuing sanctions on Russia related to its war with Ukraine while also imposing relatively minimal tariffs on the nation as part of his overarching effort to realign global trade. —Eugene Gerden, Scientific American, 30 June 2025

Friends and family members of a 12-year-old girl who was killed in an Encinitas Boulevard crosswalk in April are asking city officials to pursue pedestrian and cyclist improvements to the roadway, rather than adding more vehicle lanes. —Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 June 2025

Malice departed from the group following a studio session with Rick Rubin and pursued a deeper relationship with his faith. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 30 June 2025

In November 2024, the Illinois Supreme Court overturned the criminal convictions against him, ruling that his rights were violated when a special prosecutor pursued charges after the Cook County State's Attorney previously dropped them. —Angel Saunders, People.com, 21 June 2025