pursue
Americanverb (used with object)
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to follow in order to overtake, capture, kill, etc.; chase.
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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.).
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to continue to annoy, afflict, or trouble.
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to practice (an occupation, pastime, etc.).
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to continue to discuss (a subject, topic, etc.).
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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)
-
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
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(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)
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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
- 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.
The administration said Sunday that the Coast Guard was pursuing a tanker off the Venezuelan coast, though it did not say the U.S. forces had boarded the vessel.
From Los Angeles Times
The unit has pursued similar cases for years, but its work has increased dramatically this year, officials said.
Pathetic and prideful, yet ultimately a principled father, Oscar tries to revitalize his nonexistent career by encouraging one of his students to pursue poetry.
From Los Angeles Times
Because even those who believe in no religion at all have a stake in others’ freedom to pursue their vocations and do good works.
Save the Children said its application had not been approved and it was "pursuing all available avenues to have this decision reconsidered".
From BBC
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.
