Definition of tailingnext
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

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
  • Social media video captured an unconventional pursuit in Los Angeles over the weekend, when a runaway pig led a wild chase through the streets of West Hollywood before it was finally captured.
    Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • His reinstatement as judge after Assad was toppled and fled the country for Russia in December 2024 is an illustration of the country’s pursuit of transitional justice.
    Paula Hancocks, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • According to Linnane, dressing like an Italian isn’t about chasing whatever fashion trend is dominating social media.
    Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Final Thoughts The Qidi Max 4 feels like a machine designed for people who care more about capability, material flexibility, and printing large, functional parts than chasing a perfectly polished consumer-appliance experience.
    Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 15 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Opta tracking data shows the scale of the work Haaland does between touches.
    Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Real-time eye tracking helps JASPER respond as the eye moves during surgery.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2026
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
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
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
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
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

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Cite this Entry

“Tailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tailing. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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