pursue
verb (used with object)
to follow in order to overtake, capture, kill, etc.; chase.
had pursued
-
past perfectof pursue.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
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.
Rodriguez had pursued acting before going into stand-up comedy.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
Territorial acquisition was no longer necessary to achieve the objectives that earlier generations had pursued through expansion.
From Salon ● Oct. 13, 2026
If the Ellevest CEO had pursued her passion, she would be making ice cream and baking.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 22, 2026
If Mangione had pursued the psychiatric defence, and the jury accepted it, then he could have faced a shorter prison sentence as he might have faced a conviction for manslaughter, instead of murder.
From BBC ● Jun. 19, 2026
Later, she told him that he had pursued her, that his eyes had left her not a moment’s peace.
From "Go Tell It on the Mountain" by James Baldwin
