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chase

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noun

1
as in prey
an animal that is hunted or killed the gazelle is a favorite chase of lions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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

Example 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
Our team wants to hear your tips, chase the leads and unccover the truth. Tamia Fowlkes, jsonline.com, 24 Oct. 2025 Aytaç, for so long eager to welcome me, now chased me away. David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
Cast as Bud — a scene-stealing feline with a lion’s mane and a tendency to bite — the cat plays a key role opposite Austin Butler and Zoë Kravitz, enduring shoot-outs, car chases and even a broken paw (don’t worry, the villain gets his comeuppance). Steve Garbarino, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025 Welcome to Path to Playoff, the USA TODAY Sports newsletter covering all things college football and the chase for this year's national championship. Jordan Mendoza, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for chase
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chase
Verb
  • Carly was outed as the niece of Hanks in the premiere by fellow contestant Hugo after her ties to fame were hinted at with a park bench — from Hanks' iconic movie Forrest Gump — earlier in the show.
    Sarah Jones, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Yesavage would’ve likely contributed to a Game 5 outing back in Toronto, but the Jays ensured that wasn’t required with a 5-2 win over the Yankees.
    Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Her teachers and counselor encouraged her to pursue higher education despite her parents’ stance.
    Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
  • With the owners expected to lock out the players and pursue a salary cap after the collective bargaining agreement expires after next season, the Dodgers serve as an easy foil.
    Andy McCullough, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Some trappers focus on humane, live-capture and relocation for nuisance animals, while others are licensed hunters who can legally trap and kill animals during hunting seasons.
    Chris McKeown, Cincinnati Enquirer, 25 Oct. 2025
  • In 2015, a reporter spent a night at the Algonquin with ghost-hunting tools and claimed that eight spirits — possibly including Dorothy Parker — answered her call.
    Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The improvements mark the latest development in unmanned weapons systems that play an increasingly important role in the war with Russia, as both sides race to stay ahead in drone warfare on land, in the air and at sea.
    Anastasiia Malenko, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Companies in all industries are racing to automate, consolidate, and cut costs before real regulation catches up.
    Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Rhincodon typus, to use their scientific name, eat their ample fill by ram filter-feeding, vacuuming up gallons of water to strain out small prey before the water exits their gills.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 24 Oct. 2025
  • When focusing on the vipers’ fangs, the team watched their needle-like teeth sink into the fake prey.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Al-Khelaifi and Perez’s relationship was seriously damaged by Real Madrid’s long pursuit of Mbappe, which finally ended with the player leaving PSG to join Madrid in summer 2024.
    Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Gentleman thief Sir Charles Lytton (David Niven) circles the prize while Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Peter Sellers) bungles the pursuit with sublime obliviousness.
    Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Venables was dismissed early in the next campaign following three straight defeats, but Lineker went on to net another 20 times that season, helping win the Copa del Rey under Luis Aragones.
    Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Court rules don't allow plaintiffs to submit additional evidence to counter a motion to dismiss, Alex said.
    Paul Egan, Freep.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Leny Yoro trailed Minteh having advanced while tracking Joao Pedro, who had also moved into midfield.
    Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • How a dinosaur becomes a ‘mummy’ To gain a better understanding of the creature, a team at the University of Chicago led by anatomist Paul Sereno tracked down the historical locations of previous dinosaur finds in east central Wyoming.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 23 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Chase.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chase. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.

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