tailing 1 of 2

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
The plaintiffs also argued that that a tailings dam, if breached, would send a flood of toxic sludge that would heavily impact the communities of Dripping Springs, Kearny and Winkelman, and could possibly travel about 280 miles down the Gila River's watershed. Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 7 Aug. 2025 In addition, Utah has significant amounts of tellurium that can be taken from tailings from copper mining and used in defense technologies. Noël Fletcher, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
Verb
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 Researchers believe killer whales find salmon by tailing dolphins, who in turn benefit from bite-sized fish pieces. New Atlas, 12 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tailing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tailing
Noun
  • Video uploaded to social media shows Peralta speeding through the neighborhood with an NYPD squad car in pursuit.
    Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2026
  • The pursuit crossed into Frederick County, Maryland, where police said Leatherman was driving 120 mph at times.
    JT Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Over the years, Jackie and Shadow have grown an internet flock, and there's been plenty of drama, including Shadow chasing off another male in 2018.
    Julia Gomez, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2026
  • The teenager admitted to having a verbal altercation with Marshall and then chasing him down at the bus shelter, according to the complaint.
    WCCO Staff, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • According to Ben-Yehuda, the industry threshold for intricacy is the perpetual calendar, a constellation of sub-dials tracking day, month, year (even leap years) and sometimes moon phase.
    Adam Erace, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2026
  • If tracking tools become standard in schools, where should the line be drawn between safety and personal space?
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The broader mission goal is to demonstrate the capabilities that are considered critical to the success of future space missions, including establishing a permanent presence on the moon and ultimately pursuing missions deeper into space, including Mars.
    Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
  • This mission will target the south polar region, where companies and countries alike are pursuing the scientific and economic prospects of lunar water ice.
    Christopher Cokinos, Scientific American, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Right now, only the team that’s trailing can attempt an onside kick.
    Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Shutter speeds typically range from 10 to 25 seconds when using wide-angle lenses, depending on focal length (longer lenses require shorter exposures to avoid star trailing).
    Jamie Carter, Space.com, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Authorities said Shackelford helped by allowing inmates access to restricted areas, hiding drugs in a staff office ceiling, and escorting inmates through checkpoints to distribute the contraband.
    CBS News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Part of the challenge for vessels and any potential ship-escorting operations through the Strait of Hormuz is that the room to maneuver is highly constricted.
    Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Yes, the console is more powerful than the two base PS5 models (which also received price hikes), thanks to superior AI upscaling, better ray tracing, and a faster Wi-Fi chip.
    Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 2 Apr. 2026
  • After two cases were detected at the University of Florida at Gainesville, for instance, health-department officials performed contact tracing, ultimately reaching some 1,000 people, Fred Southwick, an infectious-disease specialist at the university, told me.
    Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Another 42 percent is in the hands of NBA team owners and the remaining 16 percent is held by investors following a 2022 capital raise.
    Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2026
  • The Guardians went on to load the bases following back-to-back walks issued by Cabrera, but the Cubs got out of it thanks to reliever Caleb Thielbar forcing Bo Naylor to pop out to end the inning.
    Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Tailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tailing. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.

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