manhunt

American  

[man-huhnt] / ˈmænˌhʌnt /

noun

1. an intensive search for a criminal, suspect, escaped convict, etc., as by law enforcement agencies.

2. an intensive search for any person.

---

manhunt British  

/ ˈmænˌhʌnt /

noun

1. an organized search, usually by police, for a wanted man or fugitive

---

Other Word Forms

• man hunter noun
• manhunter noun

Etymology

Origin of manhunt

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45; man + hunt

Example Sentences

An intense manhunt ended in a New Hampshire storage unit.

From The Wall Street Journal

“All we knew is that we were on a manhunt, and that’s where he led us to,” Providence’s police chief, Col.

From The Wall Street Journal

Police said video evidence and tips from the public led investigators to a car rental location where they found the suspect's name and matched him to their person of interest, following a six-day multi-state manhunt.

From BBC

Officials had given daily media updates at which they have voiced increasing frustration with the so far fruitless manhunt.

From Barron's

O’Toole, at George Mason, said pressure from the intense manhunt will eventually cause the shooter to slip up and either be spotted by the public or revealed by a friend or family member.

From The Wall Street Journal