TAILED Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

tailed

verb

past tense of tail

as in chased

to go after or on the track of detectives tailed the suspect to see where he was going at that time of the evening

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 tailed Brown said a wild Knicks fan tailed him home to congratulate him on winning the Finals during a bike ride over the offseason. — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 3 Oct. 2026 After that perfect airport rapprochement, Edwards and I tailed them to Jagger’s chateau near Amboise in the Loire Valley. — Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026 Santa, who was heavy and plodding with bad knees, couldn’t keep up as Gayle tailed this man through an alleyway. — Wilbert L. Cooper, Longreads, 25 Aug. 2026 Their restricted status turned many into dissenters and activists, often tailed by the KGB and getting their phone lines cut in an effort to keep their stories quiet. — Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026 She was tailed by her American lover Brad, who proceeded, as was his wont, to narrate the scene in singsong English. — Literary Hub, 3 Aug. 2026 The lush garden-like grounds are filled with aromatic wild sage, colorful blooms, and cute families of quail and cotton-tailed bunnies. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 July 2026 Hamilton, a lefty, sliced a ball into left field that tailed away from a diving Ian Happ deep in the corner. — Sean Hammond, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2026 The activity is not unlike the way US and Soviet submarines tailed one another in the Cold War, but instead of running silent and running deep, highly reflective satellites easily stand out against the inky blackness of space. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tailed

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 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

Definition of pursued

Verb

The increase was particularly notable because seven of the 10 leading countries of origin tracked by Descartes recorded month-over-month declines.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
The mayor of the town housing the Renoir Museum, Bryan Masson, issued a statement praising investigators who tracked down the paintings and suspects.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of tracked

Verb

The suspect wanted for pushing his estranged girlfriend and her infant daughter off their 15th-floor Bronx balcony, killing the woman, has been arrested — and smiled shamelessly when escorted to court by cops to face justice Thursday.

— Theodore Parisienne, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026
The fan who reached out to catch the ball was escorted out of Yankee Stadium by security and police.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026