pursuing

[ per-soo-ing ]

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.

Other Words From

• un·pur·su·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pursuing¹

pursu(e) ( def ) + -ing ²( def )

Example Sentences

One by one, the other band members join in, singing good-naturedly about how even though they miss company and activity, even though they’re pursued by melancholy, one day life will return to normal.

From Vox

Once those events occur, the newly constituted committee will have to determine whether it wishes to continue pursuing the application for the grand-jury materials that gave rise to this case.

From Washington Post

His focus was not, however, on the living situation but pursuing what he said had become his dream — becoming a pro gamer.

From Washington Post

From director Anna Wilder Burns, Sailing Cita features young sailors Lauren Topchik and Teagan Tanner as they pursue a life of adventure by sail.

From Outside Online

Mehring and Louis were pursuing similar ideas, but Mehring’s picture looks darker and thicker — more allover — than Louis’s.

From Washington Post

So looking at that and that at that time I was also pursuing my career—so there was something here.

From The Daily Beast

For officials like Brohi, pursuing the drug traffickers in Turbat would mean crossing a political minefield.

From The Daily Beast

The final question we should ask: are they pursuing justice and the rule of law, or merely silencing those who embarrass them?

From The Daily Beast

And unless Republicans start pursuing very different priorities in Congress, that prognosis could sting.

From The Daily Beast

McCain said he, Corker, and Burr are also interested in pursuing more vigorous oversight of the Iran deal as well.

From The Daily Beast

In pursuing his alchemical researches, he discovered Prussian blue, and the animal oil which bears his name.

From Project Gutenberg

All night long they expected to hear the roar of the pursuing guns, to find the sabers of the Dragoons flashing over their heads.

From Project Gutenberg

I shall therefore (pursuing his Idea of six Weeks) take it during the first tranquil six Weeks that it had, viz.

From Project Gutenberg

She did leap them, running from one to another in a manner confusing to herself and doubly so to Dorothy, pursuing.

From Project Gutenberg

Safety lies in pursuing my increasing practice, and devoting all my spare time to—well, to my real profession.

From Project Gutenberg