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
Jimmy Lovrien,
Twin Cities,
16 Apr. 2026
When sulfide ore and its waste tailings are exposed to air and moisture, sulfuric acid compounds can create acidic drainage, contaminating lakes, rivers, and groundwater.
—
Stephanie Pearson,
Outside,
17 Mar. 2026
Aidan McLaughlin,
Vanity Fair,
12 May 2026
Playing their own postseason-style of defense, the Wild spent the first two games tailing and trying to control the impact of Dallas standouts Wyatt Johnston and Jason Robertson, and have held them each to just one even-strength goal in the first two games.
—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tailing
Noun
Twin Metals 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.
—
Jimmy Lovrien,
Twin Cities,
16 Apr. 2026
When sulfide ore and its waste tailings are exposed to air and moisture, sulfuric acid compounds can create acidic drainage, contaminating lakes, rivers, and groundwater.
—
Stephanie Pearson,
Outside,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
The paparazzi have lately been tailing him around Paris in his Mini Cooper and on dates with his girlfriend, Spanish actor Ester Expósito.
—
Aidan McLaughlin,
Vanity Fair,
12 May 2026
Playing their own postseason-style of defense, the Wild spent the first two games tailing and trying to control the impact of Dallas standouts Wyatt Johnston and Jason Robertson, and have held them each to just one even-strength goal in the first two games.
—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tailing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tailing
Noun
-
Yet The Bear has always been equally attuned to the tension at the heart of that pursuit.
-
The pursuit lasted around five minutes before the suspect successfully evaded officers.
Verb
-
The lightweight, toner-meets-serum formula also layers in niacinamide and adenosine for anyone chasing a bouncy, healthy glow.
-
To survive and grow, more wealth management firms are chasing the surging ranks of the extremely wealthy and their more profitable accounts.
Noun
-
Concerns about affording healthcare in the year ahead were at a record high since tracking began in 2021, signaling that many were feeling anxious about rising healthcare costs as 2025 ended.
-
Accountants and auditors These professionals keep the books for companies and organizations, tracking, verifying and reporting financial figures.
Verb
-
Trump is pursuing his election changes through Congress, too.
-
The parts of the declaration worth knowing about are the soaring sentences in the opening paragraphs about self-evident truths, pursuing happiness and all men being created equal.
Noun
-
Over a century later, the Himalayan blackberry has spread far beyond the modest backyard bounds its importers envisioned, opting instead to take over indiscriminately and displace the native trailing blackberry (Rubus ursinus) in the process.
-
Austria was in striking distance trailing by one goal until the final moments, when Messi scored his second goal.
Verb
-
And then there's a southern route that the United States military has been escorting ships through for several weeks.
-
The former talent manager was pictured escorting her out of the premiere afterparty on April 7.
Noun
-
Contact tracing and care are hampered by conflict, mass displacement and funding gaps, with only 4,000 of up to 35,000 contacts identified and just 84 of 540 responders deployed.
-
The funds would come from the Commodity Credit Corporation, a funding initiative through the federal agency, and would go toward tracing, surveying and trapping response programs for the next three years.
Verb
-
Even more lore is on the way when House of the Dragon returns for season 3 on June 21 following season 2's bloody end.
-
The threat to Starmer's premiership has been building for months following bruising defeats for his party in May local and regional elections.
Cite this Entry
“Tailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tailing. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
