1
as in tracking
the act of going after or in the tracks of another the cat ran down the street with a pair of dogs in pursuit

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in hobby
an activity outside of one's regular occupation that is engaged in primarily for pleasure a workaholic with few pursuits outside of the office

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun pursuit differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of pursuit are business, calling, employment, métier, occupation, and work. While all these words mean "a specific sustained activity engaged in especially in earning one's living," pursuit suggests a trade, profession, or avocation followed with zeal or steady interest.

her family considered medicine the only proper pursuit

When is business a more appropriate choice than pursuit?

While in some cases nearly identical to pursuit, business suggests activity in commerce or the management of money and affairs.

the business of managing a hotel

When might calling be a better fit than pursuit?

The meanings of calling and pursuit largely overlap; however, calling applies to an occupation viewed as a vocation or profession.

the ministry seemed my true calling

When is it sensible to use employment instead of pursuit?

The words employment and pursuit can be used in similar contexts, but employment implies work for which one has been engaged and is being paid by an employer.

your employment with this firm is hereby terminated

When would métier be a good substitute for pursuit?

The synonyms métier and pursuit are sometimes interchangeable, but métier implies a calling or pursuit for which one believes oneself to be especially fitted.

acting was my one and only métier

In what contexts can occupation take the place of pursuit?

While the synonyms occupation and pursuit are close in meaning, occupation implies work in which one engages regularly especially as a result of training.

his occupation as a trained auto mechanic

When can work be used instead of pursuit?

Although the words work and pursuit have much in common, work may apply to any purposeful activity whether remunerative or not.

her work as a hospital volunteer

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 pursuit The same goes for Charli XCX who, in a Danielle Frankel slip and Vivienne Westwood corset dress, made the case for uptight brides to let go of their pursuit of perfection and just let loose. Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025 Intensity percolates around romance and creative pursuits when the sun squares off with Pluto. Usa Today, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025 Everyone will remember the Blue Jays' pursuit of two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani. Patrick McAvoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025 The pursuit started near West Troy Avenue and Westbrook Avenue, according to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pursuit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pursuit
Noun
  • As always, be sure to check your aurora tracking apps like My Aurora Forecast & Alerts or Space Weather Live to see if the activity is strong in your area.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
  • What To Know Flight delays and cancellations escalated over the weekend, with real-time flight tracking data confirming over 8,000 delays across the United States on Sunday, which was up from approximately 5,300 the previous day.
    Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Life in the heart of northern Maine moves at a much slower pace, but amid the long drives and quiet scenery, Whitty found joy in the unexpected hobby of growing her giant pumpkins.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
  • On the one hand, the couple is looking forward to spending time with family, friends and each other, plus more time for hobbies and relaxation.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The other notable advancement involves ray tracing, which adds realistic lighting and shadow effects to games.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 9 Oct. 2025
  • The extra graphical features of this re-release (including ray tracing) help sell the 'haunted house' feeling of an empty colony at the center of constant storms.
    Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • While oil continues to drive Saudi Arabia's economy, the kingdom is now expanding into areas such as artificial intelligence, tourism and sports to diversify its growth avenues.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Toru kept a notebook with advice for Shohei One way Toru kept Shohei grounded and focused on his sport was through a journal the two shared where Toru would write down advice for his son.
    Rebecca Aizin, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Have a walking-style top-water lure ready for bass schooling on the surface chasing shad.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Greenlaw was captured on video chasing after referee Brad Allen and shouting at him following kicker Wil Lutz’s game-winning field goal against the Giants last Sunday.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The look was a recreation of Anderson's memorable outfit from the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards.
    Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Today, that same site is home to Rybatska Strelka, a growing recreation complex that now attracts visitors from across the region and has become a noted example of sustainable tourism in Ukraine.
    Maria Williams, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • My vocation as a writer and editor and my avocation as a gardener and composter go hand in hand.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Retired from her long vocation as a research chemist, Schafer, at 81, remains on the job with her avocations.
    Patricia Gallagher Newberry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • Ovechkin turned 40 in September — there was no Gretzky chase to darken that party.
    Sean Gentille, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Crashes and traffic stops have led to shootings Traffic stops and car chases have long been considered some of the most dangerous of law enforcement activities, and indeed some of these crashes have led to injuries and death.
    Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pursuit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pursuit. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

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