pursue
Americanverb (used with object)
-
pursues,
present (3rd person singular)
-
pursued,
past participle, past
-
pursuing
present participle
-
to follow in order to overtake, capture, kill, etc.; chase.
-
to follow close upon; go with; attend.
Bad luck pursued him.
- Synonyms:
- dog
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to strive to gain; seek to attain or accomplish (an end, object, purpose, etc.).
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to proceed in accordance with (a method, plan, etc.).
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to carry on or continue (a course of action, a train of thought, an inquiry, studies, etc.).
-
to continue to annoy, afflict, or trouble.
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to practice (an occupation, pastime, etc.).
-
to continue to discuss (a subject, topic, etc.).
-
to follow.
They pursued the river to its source. I felt their eyes pursuing me.
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to continue; go on with (one's course, a journey, etc.).
verb (used without object)
-
pursues,
present (3rd person singular)
-
pursued,
past participle, past
-
pursuing
present participle
-
to chase after someone or something; to follow in pursuit.
They spotted the suspect but decided not to pursue.
-
to continue.
verb
-
(also intr) to follow (a fugitive, etc) in order to capture or overtake
-
(esp of something bad or unlucky) to follow closely or accompany
ill health pursued her
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to seek or strive to attain (some object, desire, etc)
-
to follow the precepts of (a plan, policy, etc)
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to apply oneself to (one's studies, hobbies, etc)
-
to follow persistently or seek to become acquainted with
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to continue to discuss or argue (a point, subject, etc)
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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pursuernoun
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outpursueverb (used with object)
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repursueverb (used with object)
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pursuableadjective
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unpursuableadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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pursuesimple
-
pursuessimple
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have pursuedperfect
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has pursuedperfect
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am pursuingprogressive
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are pursuingprogressive
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is pursuingprogressive
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have been pursuingperfect progressive
-
has been pursuingperfect progressive
Past
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pursuedsimple
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had pursuedperfect
-
was pursuingprogressive
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were pursuingprogressive
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had been pursuingperfect progressive
Future
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.
Vocabulary lists containing pursue
Commonly Misspelled Words, List 6
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"Creativity at Work" and "The Hidden Secrets of the Creative Mind"
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"Tribute to the Dog," Vocabulary from the speech
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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.
See Examples For:
Staffed by a combination of HSI experts and outside consultants, it developed software tools to comb the data for information that could help agents pursue criminal suspects.
From Salon ● Aug. 15, 2026
Or maybe you’d rather leave your 9-to-5 and pursue a career with a less traditional schedule.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026
"Washington should be a key actor in easing the tensions in the region, but they are trying to satisfy everyone and pursue their narrow interests," said Hudson.
From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026
OpenAI Chief Revenue Officer Denise Dresser is stepping down to pursue other opportunities less than a year after joining the company.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026
But how on earth can I pursue my investigation if I’m saddled with work in this peculiar mansion?
From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
As the company pursues its comprehensive travel ambitions, the question remains whether the Airbnb of tomorrow can maintain character as the foundation upon which the business is built.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 11, 2026
As for the great, mysterious and possibly dishonest figure Gail pursues, it’s Jon Hamm, playing himself.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026
She pursues what she wants, regardless of the danger.
From Salon ● Jun. 24, 2026
As a first-generation Mexican American with roots in Jalisco, Mexico, she is thrilled to join The Times’ Fast Break desk starting today, as she pursues a career in television and print journalism.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 26, 2026
The man’s desolate voice pursues her, even as his body remains on the other side of the locked gate.
From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr
“Any use of Mr. Daniels’ NIL occurring after LSU’s receipt of this notice will be deemed knowing and willful and will be pursued vigorously through all available legal and equitable remedies.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026
No matter how many cities visited, career paths pursued, or partners endured, a person’s core traits remain the same.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 13, 2026
Hichilema, a businessman who won office in 2021 on his sixth attempt, has pursued market-friendly reforms, abolished the death penalty and sought to restore investor confidence.
From Barron's ● Aug. 10, 2026
The demand for test ranges has dramatically increased in recent years as the military pursued new generation weapons, including drones, lasers and fast-flying hypersonic missiles.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
Holly and Blackavar reached the long shadow of the wood at top speed, as though they were being pursued.
From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams
“We’re pursuing all options to hold them accountable,” LeMasters said during the call.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026
Sovaldi was a truly amazing breakthrough, and we want the biotech and pharmacy industry to continue its impressive track record of pursuing innovative new therapeutics.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 13, 2026
But Cleanview's analysis finds nearly every hyperscaler is pursuing such projects, including Meta, Microsoft and Oracle.
From Barron's ● Aug. 11, 2026
At the time, Duncan was pursuing a law license.
From Salon ● Aug. 10, 2026
“Yes. Yes, yes. You are welcome to rest in this house until your master’s work takes him onwards. Is he pursuing some philosophical theme?”
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
