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 Three days later, after a 3-1 home loss to Derby County, he was sacked, paying the price for failing in his play-off pursuit. Gregg Evans, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025 In the pursuit of speed and efficiency, many companies have aggressively trimmed layers of middle management. Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2025 Continuing to support Trinity Metro in the pursuit of a multimodal transit system. Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025 Scholarship In an organization, this pillar translates to an atmosphere of continuous learning, professional development and pursuit of knowledge and skills. Sherry Martin, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pursuit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pursuit
Noun
  • Today’s near-real-time emissions tracking relies on a constellation of satellites, sensors, and AI models—many of which are controlled by governments or private entities.
    Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • With the convenience of direct-from-warehouse fulfillment, customers skip the hassle of third-party delays, backorders, or vague tracking updates.
    Rhiannon Frater, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • One of my nerdy little hobbies is collecting quotations from the famous and not-so-famous about good writing.
    Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2025
  • While Adarabioyo has been deeply involved in the hobby for years now, Solanke confessed to recently being sucked into it.
    Andrew Mackie, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Government officials can use this intelligence to shape their public health response, which could include enhanced monitoring, contact tracing, and the administration of vaccines and preventive medications.
    Dr. Céline Gounder, CBS News, 13 Mar. 2025
  • But the kind of genetic tracing that the CDC's lab performs is not conducted by any other lab in the United States or the world, experts interviewed by NPR said.
    Chiara Eisner, NPR, 16 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Professional sports, it’s often said, primes people to view elections as a contest between rivals.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Upon arrival, children and their parents or guardians must check in at an information desk—located at the recreation center, indoor sports center and senior center—to pick up a tote bag and wristband.
    Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 27 Apr. 2025
  • The agency regularly tests water at parks across the state during the recreation season, and warns the public when areas are closed.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • These avocations can take many shapes—traveling, golf, time with family, snowboarding, knitting, hunting, gardening, fishing, church choir, college football, crossword puzzles, theater, cycling, and walking.
    Wes Moss, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
  • What began as an avocation turned into a serious occupation, as Fox Solomon turned to documenting the remnants of segregation visible in Chattanooga and across the South.
    Christina Cacouris, The New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2024
Noun
  • While Instagram and TikTok chase global virality, Fizz leans hard into hyper relevance: the inside joke, the anonymous confession, the econ final everyone just bombed.
    Ian Shepherd, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The family of the chase victims didn’t know about the second-degree murder charges until Channel 9’s Dave Faherty called them Wednesday.
    Dave Faherty, Charlotte Observer, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • More casual, and far more intimate, is the arsenal of gun shots—regular Americans, children as well as adults, toting their weaponry for the camera, and for the nervous amusement of their friends and relatives.
    Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Out of the amusement of babes comes a perfect alternative to the current tariffs panic.
    Armond White, National Review, 16 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pursuit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pursuit. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

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