TAILING Synonyms: 36 Similar and Opposite Words

tailing 1 of 2

noun

ˈtā-liŋ

Definition of tailing

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

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tailing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of tail

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

Noun

Walker scored when Nick Castellanos tried and failed to make a diving catch on Winn’s tailing fly to right field. — ABC News, 8 May 2026 Twin Metals, which is owned by Chilean company Antofagasta, wants to build an underground copper-nickel mine, processing facility and tailings storage facility along Birch Lake, which flows into the BWCAW via the Kawishiwi River. — Forum News Service, Twin Cities, 28 Apr. 2026

Verb

Fortunately, Sugar has had Val tailing Hannah for a minute now. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 10 July 2026 But with Devin Vassell tailing him, Hart went up with both hands and was a bit too strong, sending the ball off the back of the rim. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for tailing

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tailing

Noun

The victory was particularly timely in their postseason pursuit, with the Philadelphia Phillies closing the gap on their hold of the National League’s top wild spot.

— Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
The Associated Press LONDON -- Seven people, including two police officers, died early Saturday in a head-on collision in the northeast of England following a pursuit.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of pursuit

Verb

More usual suspects crop up throughout the ‘security goal’ list, with the ability to be in the right place at the right time often important as games become more stretched when a losing team starts chasing a game.

— Art de Roché, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
The investigation The Rochester Police Department launched an investigation into Snookie’s killing that would span years, chasing lead after lead.

— Annalise Peterson, NBC news, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of chasing

Verb

As the war neared six months old, the two sides were not exchanging fire but also not pursuing peace talks.

— Reuters, NBC news, 22 Aug. 2026
But cultivating consumer trust, as opposed to pursuing rapid product expansion and chasing virality, has become a defining — and differentiating — aspect of Westman Atelier’s go-to-market model.

— Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of pursuing

Noun

Its leading edge sweeps back 37 degrees, with a 28-degree sweep along the trailing edge.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 18 Aug. 2026
To achieve this, the wings need a very high aspect ratio, which is, to put it very simply, the ratio between a wing's span and its average width from its leading edge to its trailing edge.

— David Szondy August 04, New Atlas, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of trailing

Verb

The striking photo was taken along India's west coast where locals give sea turtle hatchlings (Lepidochelys olivacea) a fighting chance by escorting them from their nests to the water.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 20 Aug. 2026
In addition, Russian forces struck two tugboats in the Black Sea that were escorting cargo ships carrying Western weapons for Ukraine, the Defense Ministry in Moscow said.

— Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of escorting

Noun

But contact tracing has been especially difficult, with 60% to 70% of new cases detected among people who weren't already being monitored, meaning infected people can spread the virus before health workers know to follow them.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
Conahan was arrested in February 1997, accused of raping Montgomery, strangling him and cutting off his genitals to eliminate DNA tracing.

— CBS Miami Team, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of tracing

Verb

Hong Kong’s position as a once-outspoken corner of China has been upended in recent years by a national security crackdown following huge and often violent democracy protests that convulsed the city in 2019.

— Chris Lau, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
The city also recognized the frustration some residents had following the July 18 bus crash and encouraged them to submit formal claims.

— CBS News, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026