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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
as in to seek
to go in search of urged the graduates to pursue personal fulfillment instead of financial success

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 pursue State officials are moving to pursue the death penalty if the case goes to trial, Cox said. Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 12 Sep. 2025 The governor added that the state was working with attorneys to prepare the case to pursue the death penalty once the suspect is caught. Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025 Westerheyde was inspired to pursue paralegal studies through a personal experience with a family law attorney who helped him gain full custody of his daughter. Santa Ana College, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025 Today, Yasmine is back at FIU pursuing her master’s degree, her success story embodying what makes our program so special. Dr. Michael Cheng, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pursue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pursue
Verb
  • These calls -- known as swatting -- panicked at least a dozen schools as police rush to campuses, chasing phantom threats with many of them being racially motivated and targeting historically Black colleges and universities.
    ABC News, ABC News, 12 Sep. 2025
  • To be sure, more mutual fund companies are going to be chasing those assets on the precipice of a huge decision from the Securities and Exchange Commission which could allow every asset management company to offer an ETF share class of their funds.
    Eric Rosenbaum, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Proton is commonly used by people seeking highly secure communications and has been blocked in countries with strict internet censorship, like Russia and Turkey.
    Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 13 Sep. 2025
  • California officials are trying to kill the fossil fuel industry in the state while simultaneously seeking a buyer for Valero Energy’s Benicia refinery near San Francisco, which is scheduled to close in April because the company no longer wants to deal with the abuse from Sacramento.
    Kerry Jackson, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Google Flights’ 2025 Travel Trends pinpoint the exact window for deals, pulling and tracking data from multiple airlines and travel agencies.
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The story of the dishwasher tracks well with the general story of technological progress, but only up to a point.
    Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Shut out of control of the White House and both chambers of Congress, Democrats are seeking to rebuild their brand with the American electorate following a poor performance during the 2024 presidential election.
    Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Never follow your boyfriend to college, especially a seemingly mediocre college, as Belly does with Jeremiah to the fictional Finch.
    Vogue, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The First 70 Years contains impeccable research and analysis, accompanied by fascinating photos of the sets, film crews, and casts.
    Michael Taube, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Analyst Gil Luria accompanied the move by raising his price target to $210 per share from $195.
    Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pursue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pursue. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

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