pursuer

American  

[per-soo-er] / pərˈsu ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that pursues.

2. Scots Law, Ecclesiastical Law. a plaintiff or complainant.

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Etymology

Origin of pursuer

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; pursue + -er ¹

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Explanation

A pursuer is someone who is chasing someone or something. You could be a pursuer of truth and beauty, or perhaps a pursuer of the kid who took your lunch money. To pursue is to chase something, like a dog pursuing a squirrel. In that situation, the dog is a pursuer. Someone who’s trying to ask someone else out on a date is a pursuer. When the police are on a manhunt for a criminal, the police are pursuers. You could also say someone is a pursuer of a goal, like a pursuer of a medical degree. All pursuers want something and they're going after it.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pursuer

Team-mate George Russell, his closest pursuer in the title race, starts from pole after a dominant performance.

From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2026

He said: "The defender conceded that the defender discriminated against the pursuer, contrary to the provisions of the Equalities Act."

From BBC ● Aug. 17, 2026

His closest pursuer was Andrew Novak, who was 5 under through nine holes.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 8, 2024

But what about another common rom-com trope, one that often goes hand in hand with the grand gesture: the pursuer so persistent he could be mistaken for a stalker?

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 21, 2023

Foxface must have purposefully left the other packs alone, knowing that to steal one without her number would definitely bring on a pursuer.

From "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins

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