pursue

American

[per-soo] / pərˈsu /

verb (used with object)

pursued, pursuing

to follow in order to overtake, capture, kill, etc.; chase.

Synonyms:

trail, track, hunt
to follow close upon; go with; attend.

Bad luck pursued him.

Synonyms:

dog
to strive to gain; seek to attain or accomplish (an end, object, purpose, etc.).
to proceed in accordance with (a method, plan, etc.).
to carry on or continue (a course of action, a train of thought, an inquiry, studies, etc.).
to continue to annoy, afflict, or trouble.
to practice (an occupation, pastime, etc.).
to continue to discuss (a subject, topic, etc.).
to follow.

They pursued the river to its source. I felt their eyes pursuing me.
to continue; go on with (one's course, a journey, etc.).

verb (used without object)

pursued, pursuing

to chase after someone or something; to follow in pursuit.

They spotted the suspect but decided not to pursue.
to continue.

pursue British

/ pəˈsjuː /

verb

(also intr) to follow (a fugitive, etc) in order to capture or overtake
(esp of something bad or unlucky) to follow closely or accompany

ill health pursued her
to seek or strive to attain (some object, desire, etc)
to follow the precepts of (a plan, policy, etc)
to apply oneself to (one's studies, hobbies, etc)
to follow persistently or seek to become acquainted with
to continue to discuss or argue (a point, subject, etc)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

outpursue verb (used with object)
pursuable adjective
pursuer noun
repursue verb (used with object)
unpursuable adjective

Etymology

Origin of pursue

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English pursuen, from Anglo-French pursuer, ultimately from Latin prōsequī “to pursue, follow, continue”; pro- ¹, sue, prosecute

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

For all the efforts to pursue renewable energy, we remain hugely reliant on oil and gas.

From BBC

The government has based many of its reforms on policies pursued by Labour's sister party the Social Democrats in Denmark and which the Home Office believes has led to a substantial reduction in migration.

From BBC

But it is also true that the popularity of the central elements of the reset that the party has been pursuing up to now cannot be taken for granted.

From BBC

Others might be wanting to park money in cash owing to the strengthening dollar or pursue newly enticing investments, such as energy stocks.

From The Wall Street Journal

Severus’ family was wealthy and aristocratic: They could afford to educate him expensively and expected him to pursue a career in public life.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023