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

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
The Zimbabwean shot a 3-under 67 and is now in position to chase his first individual title. Fox Sports, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2026 The second season finale saw Deborah fire Ava to free her up to be her own person and chase her career, only for the two to boomerang back together. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 29 May 2026
Noun
So, when prey eventually does approach, the crocodile only has to deploy a quick burst of explosive power, without the need to sustain a lengthy chase. Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026 After the writer/director shared a behind-the-scenes look at the film’s daring chase scene, which was shot on a miniature set of the Bay Area, Guillermo del Toro took to social media to sing Riley’s praises. Glenn Garner, Deadline, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for chase
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chase
Verb
  • The series finale picked up right where the previous episode left off, with Faye screaming and thereby outing Rue’s delicate exit plan, and then escaping herself alongside her boyfriend-dealer Wayne (Toby Wallace).
    David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026
  • After all, this implied that someone knew Stevens’ real name and was close to outing him.
    Lyz Lenz, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2026
Verb
  • From Idaho legislators to federal lawmakers So far failing to hit pay dirt with legislation in Idaho, Gleason and his family have shifted to pursuing a federal law with similar aims.
    Kevin Fixler June 4, Idaho Statesman, 4 June 2026
  • During Blanche’s first nomination hearing to be deputy attorney general, Tillis specifically asked Blanche to promise not to pursue any politically motivated prosecutions.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • According to their plea agreements, Lopez and Gonzalez went into local casinos to hunt winning gamblers.
    CBS News, CBS News, 4 June 2026
  • One post included security camera footage showing two coyotes hunting an opossum on the driveway of a house in the Barber Tract.
    Ashley Mackin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • Its most recent 54th run was record-breaking, the biggest marathon in history, with 132 countries represented, 59,226 finishers and by far the highest number of spectators in every neighborhood who supported and cheered runners on a route that races through all five boroughs.
    Laura Manske, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
  • On the lawn of Jim Gilliam Park on Saturday, supporters from across the city chanted Pratt’s name, took selfies in front of black campaign vans with his hummingbird logo and ate cookies decorated with his face as kids raced around on scooters and played with the handful of dogs attending.
    Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026
Noun
  • Finally, in the Oaxacan field test, the team showed that predatory wasps use the airborne distress signals to find their prey, but the relative importance of direct leaf defenses versus this indirect wasp recruitment isn’t clear.
    Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 3 June 2026
  • Gay men were portrayed as both predators and prey, feeding into dangerous stereotypes at a time when the community was fighting for survival.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 2 June 2026
Noun
  • The New York Knicks began their pursuit of their first title since 1973 on Wednesday night in a matchup against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 4 June 2026
  • Israel invaded Lebanon in March in pursuit of Hezbollah, which fired across the border in support of Tehran.
    Reuters, NBC news, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • The lawsuit was eventually dismissed.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
  • The ruling came after similar cases in Michigan and Georgia were dismissed by the courts and a special prosecutor dropped a federal case in late 2024 that charged Trump with conspiring to overturn the 2020 election.
    Jacques Billeaud, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • Across the railway tracks again, Gertrud walking next to him, Ursula and her sister trailing behind.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
  • Asian markets traded higher on Wednesday, tracking gains on Wall Street with the major averages notching fresh record closes overnight.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chase.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chase. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.

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