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
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 Phoenix Tailings, a startup in Massachusetts, is also among a handful of U.S. companies prepared to refine rare earths, by refining the tailings, or leftover waste, from mining companies. Emily Feng, NPR, 23 July 2025
Verb
Dortch had dropped off their daughter at school that morning when Bryant Carter, who had been tailing her, forced her out of her car at gunpoint and into his, WGN-TV reported. Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025 Sarkozy’s journey through Paris, which took him past the French National Assembly parliament building, was also captured live with more than a dozen cameramen on bikes tailing his car. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tailing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tailing
Noun
  • But Vanderbilt, as attention, pressure and fatigue rise on a pursuit no one outside its camp expected, is essentially two teams with two games left in the 2025 regular season.
    Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
  • The crash remains under active investigation by the FHP as officials work to reconstruct the events and review pursuit protocols.
    Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • In one incident, video obtained by FOX News shows two masked men holding handguns chasing a screaming resident around his house.
    Landon Mion , Brooke Taylor, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Fátima Bosch grew up in Santiago de Teapa, Tabasco, and has been chasing her pageant dreams for years.
    Allison DeGrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • This ensuing odyssey rapidly evolves from a mere tracking expedition into a brutal test of endurance and a profound, sensory initiation.
    Robert Lang, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2026
  • People are going all out to make their cards visually appealing and fun to use, turning goal-tracking into a hands-on activity that’s both satisfying and motivating.
    Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • If and when the Ravens’ Eric DeCosta calls Sean Payton on Vance Joseph — or Giants GM Joe Schoen, or Raiders GM John Spytek, or one of six organizations pursuing the Broncos’ defensive coordinator for a head-coaching gig — Payton will tell them of a man who has a presence, now.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 10 Jan. 2026
  • The growing pace of crypto ATM fraud has some policymakers pursuing bans and others asking why the nation is blanketed in these machines in the first place.
    Kevin Williams, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The shake-up did little to steady the campaign, as public events were limited, and advisers struggled to sharpen the message, with polls showing her trailing.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Closely trailing behind were fellow incumbents Craig, who raised over $12,600 between August 7 and October 4, and Moncree-Moffett, who raised over $10,800 between June and October.
    Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • On Tuesday afternoon, the sidewalk in front of the facility had become a hive of activity – including the return of Nick Shirley – as media and Shirley supporters watched adults escorting children in and out.
    Andy Rose, CNN Money, 1 Jan. 2026
  • He is monitored with a video camera that is attached to his escorting officer.
    Danielle Bacher, PEOPLE, 20 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • Trying to track and contain a highly contagious virus—which requires interventions such as testing and rapid contact tracing—will tax public-health departments, too.
    Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2025
  • Part of Save the Children’s work is family tracing, which means trying to find out whether a relative is already in the camp or has arrived from a different route to a nearby area.
    Rebecca Schneid, Time, 26 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • And, in the aftermath, these were Chiefs coaches’ biggest regrets following a season gone awry.
    Jesse Newell, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
  • The host noted the date of the insurrection, following President Joe Biden's win over Trump in the 2020 election for president, early on.
    Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Tailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tailing. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.

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