pursue
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to follow in order to overtake, capture, kill, etc.; chase.
-
to follow close upon; go with; attend.
Bad luck pursued him.
- Synonyms:
- dog
-
to strive to gain; seek to attain or accomplish (an end, object, purpose, etc.).
-
to proceed in accordance with (a method, plan, etc.).
-
to carry on or continue (a course of action, a train of thought, an inquiry, studies, etc.).
-
to continue to annoy, afflict, or trouble.
-
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.
-
to continue; go on with (one's course, a journey, etc.).
verb (used without object)
-
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
-
to seek or strive to attain (some object, desire, etc)
-
to follow the precepts of (a plan, policy, etc)
-
to apply oneself to (one's studies, hobbies, etc)
-
to follow persistently or seek to become acquainted with
-
to continue to discuss or argue (a point, subject, etc)
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”; pro- 1, sue, prosecute
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.
News outlets have been pursuing a mix of litigation and licensing deals to manage, as tech companies scrape their websites for material.
Overachieving teenagers have long pursued a smorgasbord of résumé-polishing summer activities.
In Massachusetts, state regulators prevented utilities from pursuing similar plans.
From Los Angeles Times
He has always been strategic in pursuing education, getting the degrees and certifications most likely to help his career.
Archibald said that while there is industrial logic to pursuing midstream growth, she doesn’t think having an integrated production chain is a must for success in the U.S.
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.
