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

Police again thanked the public who have responded to appeals for information and said it would "pursue all avenues of enquiry".

From BBC • May 17, 2026

Investors were ditching U.S. government bonds amid intensifying concerns that the resurgence of inflation brought on by the Iran war could force the Federal Reserve to pursue higher interest rates.

From MarketWatch • May 15, 2026

"While we have resolved nearly all of these claims through settlements, families are entitled to pursue their claims through the court process, and we respect their right to do so."

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

The government said under the current restructuring plan, First Brands plans to set up a litigation trust to pursue legal claims, using proceeds to repay certain creditors.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

Their office was to pursue and punish sinners.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

Related Words

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