PURSUED Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

pursued

verb

past tense of pursue

as in chased

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

as in sought

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 pursued Netanyahu’s wager, according to these critics, was that the aid would give Hamas something to lose and would therefore help contain the group while Israel pursued normalization with the Arab world without resolving the Palestinian question. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026 Bambu Lab has introduced its Vortek nozzle-changing system, while Prusa has pursued multi-toolhead designs. — New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026 In recent years, the state has pursued some public health interventions but has leaned heavily on increasing criminal penalties for using and possessing fentanyl. — Joshua Barocas, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026 Police said Giamanco pursued and fatally shot the 16-year-old attacker, ending a rampage that took the lives of three children and a teacher and wounded two others. — Kerry Breen, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 He was shot and killed by a good Samaritan who pursued him, authorities said. — Kaila Nichols, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026 The play’s tension, gently but poignantly unspooled, develops from the fact that while Ryan has pursued a career onstage, Charlie never did. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026 Jones was driving Levy’s SUV and had her phone as officers pursued him for 38 minutes, police said. — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026 At the height of the Cold War, one particularly unusual early application for space warfare was pursued by the Soviet Union, which involved mounting a rapid-fire cannon aboard a secret military space station. — Micah Hanks, Space.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pursued

Verb

Following a 33-32 victory over the New York Giants in Week 7 of the 2025 season while playing for the Denver Broncos, Greenlaw chased and verbally threatened referee Brad Allen as the officiating crew was leaving the field.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
The discoveries that will change medicine a generation from now are probably being chased today by people asking questions no one else sees the value of yet.

— Robert C. Gallo, STAT, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of chased

Verb

The show sought to expand norms of representation—a project whose sincerity all but courts the cringeworthy—with artists hell-bent on deconstructing the drive for beauty, including Orlan, Sara Cwynar, Juno Calypso, and Haley Morris-Cafiero.

— Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
In response, the streaming giant has sought to diversify its content in recent years, expanding into live sports, documentaries and video games in order to compete for share of consumer attention.

— Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of sought

Verb

Engagement is often seen as a metric about sentiment that can be measured and tracked, but is treated as something employees bring—or fail to bring—to their jobs.

— Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
SparkHub connects creator content to tracked sales inside its ShopBack app.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of tracked

Verb

Another 24 new releases are lined up for the rest of the year; most of them originals (20) followed by new seasons (3) and a saga.

— Annika Pham, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
What followed was a difficult stretch, with works by Cy Twombly, George Condo, Alberto Giacometti, and Lucian Freud among those failing to find buyers.

— Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of followed

Verb

The woman had pulled herself back up the creek bank by the time rescuers arrived, and she was escorted her back to her car, officials said.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026
As the two struggled over the sign, Sonoma police officers escorted Bourne off school grounds.

— Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of escorted

Verb

The films will compete for the Golden Alexander – Michel Dimopoulos Award, accompanied by a 10,000 euro ($11,240) cash prize, and the Silver Alexander for best direction, which comes with a 5,000 euro ($5,620) cash prize.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
There’s also an in-ground lap pool and a tennis court accompanied by a covered viewing pavilion.

— Tori Latham, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of accompanied

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“Pursued.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pursued. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of pursued

verb

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