pursue

American  

[per-soo] / pərˈsu /

verb (used with object)

pursued, pursuing

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

   Synonyms:

   trail, track, hunt

2. to follow close upon; go with; attend.

   Bad luck pursued him.

   Synonyms:

   dog

3. to strive to gain; seek to attain or accomplish (an end, object, purpose, etc.).

4. to proceed in accordance with (a method, plan, etc.).

5. to carry on or continue (a course of action, a train of thought, an inquiry, studies, etc.).

6. to continue to annoy, afflict, or trouble.

7. to practice (an occupation, pastime, etc.).

8. to continue to discuss (a subject, topic, etc.).

9. to follow.

   They pursued the river to its source. I felt their eyes pursuing me.

10. to continue; go on with (one's course, a journey, etc.).

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verb (used without object)

pursued, pursuing

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

   They spotted the suspect but decided not to pursue.

2. to continue.

pursue British  

/ pəˈsjuː /

verb

1. (also intr) to follow (a fugitive, etc) in order to capture or overtake

2. (esp of something bad or unlucky) to follow closely or accompany

   ill health pursued her

3. to seek or strive to attain (some object, desire, etc)

4. to follow the precepts of (a plan, policy, etc)

5. to apply oneself to (one's studies, hobbies, etc)

6. to follow persistently or seek to become acquainted with

7. to continue to discuss or argue (a point, subject, etc)

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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”; see pro- ¹, sue, prosecute

Explanation

Use the verb pursue when you're chasing after someone or something. A hungry lion might pursue a zebra, the paparazzi might pursue a celebrity, and a young dancer might pursue her dream of becoming a prima ballerina. Pursue originally meant "to follow with hostile intent," from a Latin root word, prosequi, "follow, accompany, follow after, or follow up." Today, when you pursue someone, it's not necessarily with bad intentions. A police officer, for example, might pursue a criminal, and your dog might pursue your cat around the house just for fun. If you pursue a career in journalism, you are working to achieve it. Likewise, you pursue a strategy or a hobby if you do it consistently.

Example Sentences

“The greater predictability in the amended agreement strengthens our joint ability to build and operate AI platforms at scale while providing both companies the flexibility to pursue new opportunities,” the blog posts read.

From Barron's • Apr. 27, 2026

Raised predominantly by his grandmother, he moved to Iten to pursue his running ambitions in 2017, but his time in Kenya's 'home of champions' failed to produce the desired results.

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026

The companies said on Monday that they had amended their agreement to give each party the “flexibility to pursue new opportunities.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 27, 2026

This gives authorities flexibility to pursue reforms at a gradual pace, while maintaining financial stability.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

Troops still had not called on Dr. Mudd to pursue his tip—because they still did not know about it!

From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson

Related Words

• conduct
• continue
• engage in
• maintain
• practice
• proceed
• prosecute
• tackle