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
• dog
• trail
• tail
• seek
• run
• run after
• watch
• tag
• shadow
• hound
• hunt
• bird-dog
• observe
• eye
• search (for)
• 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

Mayor Eric Adams prioritized eliminating encampments by pursuing an aggressive strategy of criminalization and encampment sweeps led by the NYPD, and expanded use of involuntary hospitalizations. — Dave Giffen, New York Daily News, 26 July 2026

During the conversation, Adams shared whether her daughter, Aviana Olea, 16, who accompanied her to the show’s world premiere in Los Angeles on June 2, has an interest in pursuing a career in Hollywood. — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026

As of July 22, the Justice Department has filed at least 89 denaturalization cases in federal court, according to a DOJ official – nearly four times as many as were pursued during former President Joe Biden's term in office. — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 26 July 2026

The waterfront restaurant was opened in 1972 by Robert Mardian, a Stanford graduate who abandoned his plans to pursue a career as a lawyer to instead enter the restaurant business. — Lily Wright, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2026