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. )

Example Sentences

The Garda Representative Association said members have a "genuine fear" in pursuing vehicles as they may end up being disciplined or even prosecuted.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

The decision comes as rivals in the fintech sector are looking stateside to tap into the world’s largest financial market, pursuing national bank charters to offer loans and insured deposits.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said he was aware being in the two unions was incompatible, but that pursuing both paths was possible "for now".

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

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 • Apr. 1, 2026

Nobody thought it worth pursuing this line of argument.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton