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 After the body was retrieved from the pickup, the Marion County Coroner's Office requested that Johnson County officials and the fire department transfer the body to the Indianapolis facility, since the pursuit began in Indianapolis. Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 3 Oct. 2025 The Classic Auto Horizon serves as a reminder that the pursuit of precision and performance on the track can translate even on refined, more traditional watches. Carol Besler, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2025 Since that policy change, pursuits range between 800 and 1,000 a year. David Clarey, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025 Perhaps not, and that was attributable to some of his off-field pursuits, as sports journalist Devin Gordon explains in one episode. Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pursuit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pursuit
Noun
  • Peloton's rep tracking feature.
    Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The Master 4’s sensor remains unchanged, still providing smooth and accurate tracking on virtually any surface, with a maximum DPI of 8,000.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • And this year, even collectors nostalgic for the early days of the hobby, before social media and investment watches entered the picture, said the vibe felt just right.
    Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Whether that puts your eyes onto your career and public image, your personal connections, or even a new hobby or interest, let this encourage you to lead full force in that direction with vulnerability and inspiration.
    Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Burrage led the efforts at Tuba City’s hospital by organizing a comprehensive response, including data collection, contact tracing, community outreach, disease surveillance, testing, vaccination campaigns and staff training.
    Suzette Brewer, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2025
  • The killing helped to usher in the Gun Control Act of 1968, which among other things required firearms to be sold by federally licensed dealers, to have markings to enable tracing, and for paperwork to be filled out identifying the buyer.
    Andrew Blankstein, NBC news, 20 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Her love for journalism began with taking freelance sports photos for her local newspaper, The Fulton Sun, during high school, and her involvement with multiple school publications.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2025
  • All That Matters, which began as a music conference, and has grown to encompass sports, gaming, web3, marketing and content, is celebrating its 20th edition this year.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Nearby Juno Beach is home the famous Juno Beach Pier, a 990-foot boardwalk that’s a popular spot for fishing and sunset chasing.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2025
  • When Tucker lands in free agency, he's set to have some of the biggest spenders in the league chasing after him.
    Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The lawsuits, which are pending, alleged that inmates were kept alone in dark cells for long periods of time and were taken out only to shower or for one-hour recreation periods a few times a week.
    Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The cost of gas, lodging and recreation have all risen sharply since the pandemic.
    Joel Rose, NPR, 2 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
  • Robert also produced the film, which followed a group of Southern whiskey runners getting into chases and conflicts with federal agents.
    Andrew McGowan, Variety, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Welcome to Path to Playoff, the USA TODAY Sports newsletter covering all things college football and the chase for this year's national championship.
    Jordan Mendoza, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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