pursuing

American  

[per-soo-ing] / pərˈsu ɪŋ /

adjective

1. following someone or something in order to overtake, capture, woo, etc..

   Informed via radio that the alleged crime concerned an unpaid bill, the pursuing officers took down the vehicle's license plate information and stopped the chase.

2. continuing to accompany or affect someone, as success, bad luck, or fame.

   They renewed their love, were once more torn apart by pursuing misfortune, but in the end were happily reunited.

3. following or seeming to follow someone or something with one’s eyes, voice, thoughts, etc..

   He stared fearfully at the pursuing eyes of a portrait on the wall.

4. following or coming immediately after; ensuing.

   The program focuses on core courses in the first semester, and allows students to take their electives in the pursuing two semesters.

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Other Word Forms

• unpursuing adjective

Etymology

Origin of pursuing

pursu(e) ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. )

Explanation

When someone is described as pursuing, they are following or chasing another person (or thing) with the intent to catch. The pursuing player in a game of "tag" is "it," or the one doing the chasing. During a traditional English fox hunt, the barking dogs are the pursing animals, and the foxes are the ones being hunted. And during a typical cops-and-robbers chase, the pursuing officers are the ones in the police car with the siren blaring, racing after the getaway car. Pursuing and its related verb pursue come from the Latin prosequi, "follow or follow after."

Example Sentences

I am a maternal-fetal medicine specialist in Washington, D.C., who routinely sees patients for counseling prior to their pursuing fertility treatments.

From Slate • Apr. 16, 2026

In addition, pursuing the lower target increased overall healthcare costs due to greater use of antihypertensive medications and more frequent doctor visits.

From Science Daily • Apr. 16, 2026

That is something Mr. Nguyen experienced personally when he busied himself pursuing publication in highly ranked journals instead of writing about what he truly loved: the philosophy of games.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

The best thing that could be done for homebuyers and owners concerned about higher borrowing costs was providing stability by pursuing "credible policies that deliver sensibly... over time" he suggested.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

Sam stayed on the farm for three days, pursuing the affections of Georgina to no avail.

From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead