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.

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manhunt British  

/ ˈmænˌhʌnt /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• man hunter noun
• manhunter noun

Etymology

Origin of manhunt

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

Example Sentences

"The suspects fled the scene and no arrests have been made," police said, adding that a manhunt had been launched and investigations were ongoing.

From Barron's

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