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)
-
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.
“When someone sets fires that endanger lives and destroy a community’s sense of safety, my office will pursue the most serious charges available and seek justice for the victims,” Los Angeles County Dist.
From Los Angeles Times
Haight is now pursuing a doctorate in autism studies at Towson University in Maryland, and hosts meetings for autistic peer support groups.
From Los Angeles Times
Some of the cases related to serving as an unregistered foreign agent, a charge Bondi ordered prosecutors to stop pursuing unless they involved “conduct similar to more traditional espionage by foreign government actors.”
From Salon
The UK will pursue closer economic ties with the European Union in light of the war in Iran, Sir Keir Starmer has said.
From BBC
The online listing portal is now being pursued in a class action, launched by accountant Jeremy Newman on behalf of potentially hundreds of estate agents.
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.
