as in pursuit
the act of going after or in the tracks of another
the reporter's constant tailing of the candidate resulted in an exclusive scoop
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in chasing
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
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 tailing
Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 15 Jan. 2026
In Zambia, a Chinese mining company spilled toxic tailings into waterways.
—Nicholas Kusnetz, Wired News, 27 Dec. 2025
Rob Ledonne, Vogue, 19 Feb. 2026
During a night commute, the video shows the Tesla tailing an SUV in front of it at a reasonable enough distance.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tailing
Noun
Why the Boundary Waters Mine Is a Bad Trade
Twin Metals skeptics also question where the copper would be processed, and how the millions of tons of mine tailings would be stored safely.
—Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 15 Jan. 2026
In Zambia, a Chinese mining company spilled toxic tailings into waterways.
—Nicholas Kusnetz, Wired News, 27 Dec. 2025
Verb
Biles and Owens were only living in their brand new Houston, Texas-area home for a day and a half before high-tailing it to Milan.
—Rob Ledonne, Vogue, 19 Feb. 2026
During a night commute, the video shows the Tesla tailing an SUV in front of it at a reasonable enough distance.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tailing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tailing
Noun
-
Beyond the question of criminal referrals, the commission’s report urged DHS to restrict certain ICE and Customs and Border Protection practices, including the use of chemical agents, physical force and vehicle pursuits during civil immigration enforcement.—
Olivia Olander,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
Tillis, speaking to The Washington Post after the Comey charges were announced, sounded skeptical about the case and seemed to directly link a confirmation vote for Boyle to the pursuit of actual crime.—
Chris Brennan,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Bain excels in a few other areas that happen to be vital for those chasing QBs for a living.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Producer Lindsay Doran has pretty much been chasing it ever since and finally got the film version made.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
After arriving in the Air Force’s care in May 2025, the plane was taken apart to ensure there were no listening or tracking devices hidden inside, a major concern of critics who objected to the gifted aircraft on security grounds.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
2 May 2026
-
Since 2021, the Tlingit couple has led small-group bear tracking excursions through Wilderness Island Tours, offering guests a deeper, more meaningful experience.—
Debbie Olsen,
Travel + Leisure,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Now prosecutors pursuing the threats case face their own challenge of proving that Comey intended to communicate a true threat or at least recklessly discounted the possibility that the statement could be understood as a threat.—
Eric Tucker,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
-
America should be pursuing policies that ease the burden on US manufacturers to become the dominant force in this race, not increase it.—
Alex Durante,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The investigation revealed a large amount of blood located at the residence where Limon and Abugharbieh lived with a third roommate, per the affidavit, which alleged investigators found blood trailing from the entry of the apartment, through the kitchen, to Abugharbieh's room.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
-
He was lifted after that, having thrown 82 pitches and with the Padres trailing by two runs.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At Saturday night's press dinner, Donald and Melania were sitting onstage shortly after the start of the dinner when live footage showed Secret Service agents entering the ballroom and quickly escorting the president out of the room.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Its mandate includes securing mine sites, escorting mineral shipments to processing facilities and border crossings and protecting foreign investments.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Curated by Our Editors Ultimately, public health workers got control of the outbreak through testing, contact tracing, isolating of sick and exposed individuals and vaccination.—
Tanya Lewis,
Scientific American,
29 Apr. 2026
-
While similar tracing has been a part of golf and tennis coverage for years, the thinness and speed of fencing blades required special know-how to digitally follow.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Gloria said her ex-boyfriend had been following and harassing her.—
Paul LaRosa,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
-
The Powerball jackpot has reset to $20 million, or $9 million in cash, ahead of the May 2 drawing following a $143 million win on Wednesday, April 29.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
3 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tailing. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
