as in sports
an activity outside of one's regular occupation that is engaged in primarily for pleasure
a workaholic with few pursuits outside of the office
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Recent Examples of pursuits
The previous year, 12,000 pursuits were recorded, of which 19% (2,275) ended in a crash.
—
Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Niche platforms built around specific interests are scaling fast as more people look for community around their pursuits.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 7 May 2026
His ambitious philanthropic pursuits included founding the Turner Foundation, which champions environmentalism.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 6 May 2026
In that sense, every measurement is important, with the absolute strength of the gravitational force representing one of the most fundamental pursuits of all.
—Big Think, 6 May 2026
The effort levels across Arsenal’s team were top-notch, especially considering the twin targets of Premier League and Champions League pursuits.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 6 May 2026
The literature on adolescence marks middle school as a turning point, a time when kids begin to pull away from their parents, discard childish pursuits, and pursue, full thrust, the exhausting project of individuation.
—Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Nature lovers with more time to explore may want to immerse themselves in the landscape by hiking, camping, and other outdoor pursuits, but others prefer to take in the beauty and timelessness in a more relaxed way.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2026
The sequel, which continues immediately with life or death pursuits that involve a Satanic cult, won good reviews but only grossed $38 million on a $14 million budget.
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 2 May 2026
Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Niche platforms built around specific interests are scaling fast as more people look for community around their pursuits.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 7 May 2026
His ambitious philanthropic pursuits included founding the Turner Foundation, which champions environmentalism.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 6 May 2026
In that sense, every measurement is important, with the absolute strength of the gravitational force representing one of the most fundamental pursuits of all.
—Big Think, 6 May 2026
The effort levels across Arsenal’s team were top-notch, especially considering the twin targets of Premier League and Champions League pursuits.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 6 May 2026
The literature on adolescence marks middle school as a turning point, a time when kids begin to pull away from their parents, discard childish pursuits, and pursue, full thrust, the exhausting project of individuation.
—Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Nature lovers with more time to explore may want to immerse themselves in the landscape by hiking, camping, and other outdoor pursuits, but others prefer to take in the beauty and timelessness in a more relaxed way.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 3 May 2026
The sequel, which continues immediately with life or death pursuits that involve a Satanic cult, won good reviews but only grossed $38 million on a $14 million budget.
—Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 2 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pursuits
Noun
-
With impeccable restaurants, complimentary water sports, and villas fit for royalty, Belmond is doing Baie Longue right.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 May 2026
-
Her tour doubled as a reminder to fans that the USWNT is not just successful, but culturally relevant, visible and, most importantly in modern sports, undeniably cool.—
Asli Pelit,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Technology has crept into one of the oldest hobbies known to humanity.—
Jamie Siebrase,
Denver Post,
8 May 2026
-
Research increasingly links hands-on hobbies to better mental health, sharper memory and lower stress, giving the trend real weight beyond aesthetics.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pursuits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pursuits. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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