chase 1 of 2

Definition of chasenext
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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

2

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

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
Artur Silovs stopped 19 shots for the Penguins and had little work to do after Pittsburgh chased Bobrovsky following Soderblom's third goal in 15 games since being acquired in a trade with Detroit. ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026 The Brewers didn’t chase much when Avila threw his off-speed pitches. Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
One of the Rockies’ major goals during the offseason and spring training was to cut down on strikeouts and their chase rate. Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2026 Worcester added two more runs in the third and another in the fourth to take a 5-0 lead and chase Saints starter Zebby Matthews after 3 1/3 innings of work. Twin Cities, 4 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chase
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chase
Verb
  • Kyle is just outing herself as a gossip and is distorting what everyone has to say to try to one-up Dorit in her own life.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2026
  • The public quickly turned on The Sun for effectively outing Edwards.
    K.J. Yossman, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The bankruptcy court has approved $10 million to pursue legal claims against former Prospect principals, with Leonard Green and Prospect’s former top executives, Lee and Topper, as the big targets.
    Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 9 Apr. 2026
  • The other weighs the pros and cons of pursuing a technical or managerial career path.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • His role as Robbie Prendergrast, a Philadelphia area garbage collector turned trap house robber who is hunted by the FBI, has already earned him a Critics Choice Award nomination, following Critics Choice and Emmy noms for his work in Netflix’s Ozark.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Glenn has been hunting snakes for 25 years.
    Dr. C. E. Kuschel, Outdoor Life, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The paying public went from raucous to delirious on the next possession, when Curry raced downcourt and splashed a triple off the dribble.
    Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Leonard scored 13 points in the first quarter as the Clippers raced out to a double-digit lead and coasted against a Kings team that is playing out the string of a lost season.
    Oc Register, Oc Register, 6 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Most are nocturnal, venturing out at night to hunt fish, insects and other small prey.
    Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2026
  • Most are nocturnal, venturing out at night to hunt for fish, insects and other small prey.
    Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Video uploaded to social media shows Peralta speeding through the neighborhood with an NYPD squad car in pursuit.
    Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2026
  • The pursuit crossed into Frederick County, Maryland, where police said Leatherman was driving 120 mph at times.
    JT Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • But in the motion to dismiss, McCallum said the shooter did not touch the railing.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026
  • The deal dismissed charges of first-degree murder, tampering with a human body, burglary and theft from his case.
    Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Nigel Hughes, who tracks housing markets across the country, says there has already been a noticeable shift.
    Brad Hamilton, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
  • The workers check tickets and fares, answer questions and perform other customer service functions, issue citations for violating train rules, attempt to maintain peace, assist operators and track the number of passengers and sort them into different fare categories.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 7 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chase.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chase. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.

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