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

Pyongyang is likely to pursue "continuous" ballistic missile testing as it pivots from simple weapons development towards the "normalisation of nuclear operations", he said.

From Barron's • Apr. 27, 2026

Both companies have “decided not to pursue any new offshore wind developments in the United States,” the Interior Department said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 27, 2026

But as she got older and assessed the best route for her own development, Jones decided to pursue England, rather than Wales.

From BBC • Apr. 25, 2026

If you have reason to be concerned, request an accounting of financial activity during the time your brother acted under power of attorney and/or pursue other paths through the probate court.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 25, 2026

“You were selected as a candidate, which means you’ll be up for a scholarship to pursue environmental action. You could use it for whatever you’re most interested in.”

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy

Related Words

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