chase 1 of 2

verb

Definition of chasenext
1
as in to out
to drive or force out chased the cat out of the garden

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to pursue
to go after or on the track of a dog that likes to chase cars

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to hunt
to seek out (game) for food or sport owls often chase mice in the dark

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to race
to proceed or move quickly they chased all over the place to find the missing child

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

chase

2 of 2

noun

ˈchās How to pronounce chase (audio)
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
as in pursuit
the act of going after or in the tracks of another a high-speed car chase

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Officer body-camera footage revealed that police kept chasing Franklin even after their supervising sergeant told them not to. — Julia Coin july 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026 Crump contended there was no reason for the police to chase Ruiz in the first place. — Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 24 July 2026
Noun
There will be chase scenes, vehicular and pedestrian — but when aren’t there? — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026 Walker’s chase rate was ticking up, and most of his contact came on the ground. — Katie Woo, New York Times, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for chase
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chase
  1. out
  2. pursue
  3. hunt
  4. race
  5. prey
  6. pursuit
  7. dismiss
  8. track
Verb
  • Here’s what to know How will an out-of-network status for UHealth affect patients?
    — Michelle Marchante July 22, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
  • The law had forced her to use gender-neutral bathrooms at school, effectively outing her.
    — Jo Yurcaba, NBC news, 18 July 2026
Definition of out
Verb
  • Wang, who is pursuing reelection in November, also wants the measure to incentivize larger banks and Wall Street speculators who buy up distressed debts to not seek foreclosure as the first option when borrowers default on payments.
    — Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 19 July 2026
  • Season 3, as the show's latest trailer suggests, finds the central trio each pursuing their own passions while remaining caught in one another's orbit.
    — Allison DeGrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 19 July 2026
Definition of pursue
Verb
  • Without a mentor to guide him, Aang spends his spare time hunting for Air Nomad relics in an attempt to connect with his ancestry.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 24 July 2026
  • While bargain-hunting passengers at the back of the plane are more likely to accept the middle seat to save on airfare, those in economy plus are more difficult to sell, said Zack Griff, author of the airline newsletter From the Tray Table.
    — Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
Definition of hunt
Verb
  • Anyone seeking a gold medal in tennis in 2028 will be racing against time.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • Berman, who lives in Yorkville, jumped in his car and raced toward the scene.
    — Andrew Rice, Curbed, 23 July 2026
Definition of race
Noun
  • But could these large marine mammals also play with their prey just for fun?
    — Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 23 July 2026
  • Orcas are known to play with their food—passing dying prey around to one another, for example, like a macabre game of hot potato.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 23 July 2026
Definition of prey
Noun
  • The sharp lyrics and title are embodied in the music itself, most notably in the relentless rhythm section, which reflects the endless pursuit of conformity and ambition that Smith criticizes.
    — Sophie Miller, Rolling Stone, 19 July 2026
  • In addition to its ongoing pursuit of LeBron James, the Heat also would like to add another veteran shooter and another veteran big man but might begin the season with only 14 under contract.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026
Definition of pursuit
Verb
  • Ray Wilkins was appointed manager and Fulham finished sixth — but Al Fayed was not satisfied, dismissing Wilkins and handing the job to Keegan.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Huffy, a brand once dismissed by some but historically durable and even Olympic-raced, has successfully reinvented itself in the e-bike market.
    — William Roberson, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of dismiss
Verb
  • Since a June 9 flight from Los Angeles to Mexico City ahead of the tournament's opening match, the aircraft averaged more than one flight a day and on multiple days made more than three, according to flight-tracking site FlightAware.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 July 2026
  • No federal agency tracks the practice, so researchers have relied on estimates.
    — Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 July 2026
Definition of track

Phrases Containing chase

Browse Nearby Words

chary
chase
chased
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chase.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chase. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on chase

Nglish: Translation of chase for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chase

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