pursue
Americanverb (used with object)
-
pursues,
present (3rd person singular)
-
pursued,
past participle, past
-
pursuing
present participle
-
to follow in order to overtake, capture, kill, etc.; chase.
-
to follow close upon; go with; attend.
Bad luck pursued him.
- Synonyms:
- dog
-
to strive to gain; seek to attain or accomplish (an end, object, purpose, etc.).
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to proceed in accordance with (a method, plan, etc.).
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to carry on or continue (a course of action, a train of thought, an inquiry, studies, etc.).
-
to continue to annoy, afflict, or trouble.
-
to practice (an occupation, pastime, etc.).
-
to continue to discuss (a subject, topic, etc.).
-
to follow.
They pursued the river to its source. I felt their eyes pursuing me.
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to continue; go on with (one's course, a journey, etc.).
verb (used without object)
-
pursues,
present (3rd person singular)
-
pursued,
past participle, past
-
pursuing
present participle
-
to chase after someone or something; to follow in pursuit.
They spotted the suspect but decided not to pursue.
-
to continue.
verb
-
(also intr) to follow (a fugitive, etc) in order to capture or overtake
-
(esp of something bad or unlucky) to follow closely or accompany
ill health pursued her
-
to seek or strive to attain (some object, desire, etc)
-
to follow the precepts of (a plan, policy, etc)
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to apply oneself to (one's studies, hobbies, etc)
-
to follow persistently or seek to become acquainted with
-
to continue to discuss or argue (a point, subject, etc)
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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pursuernoun
-
outpursueverb (used with object)
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repursueverb (used with object)
-
pursuableadjective
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unpursuableadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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pursuesimple
-
pursuessimple
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have pursuedperfect
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has pursuedperfect
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am pursuingprogressive
-
are pursuingprogressive
-
is pursuingprogressive
-
have been pursuingperfect progressive
-
has been pursuingperfect progressive
Past
-
pursuedsimple
-
had pursuedperfect
-
was pursuingprogressive
-
were pursuingprogressive
-
had been pursuingperfect progressive
Future
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.
Vocabulary lists containing pursue
Commonly Misspelled Words, List 6
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"Creativity at Work" and "The Hidden Secrets of the Creative Mind"
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"Tribute to the Dog," Vocabulary from the speech
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Niemi said he may still pursue a civil lawsuit against the Vulins.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2026
With the latest data in hand, the companies now plan to pursue approval of the experimental treatment.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 22, 2026
"The International Criminal Court must be free to pursue its mission, independently, and without pressure or intimidation," EU chief Ursula von der Leyen posted online after the prize was announced.
From Barron's ● Oct. 22, 2026
The Justice Department’s fraud division head Colin McDonald wants prosecutors to weigh adding tax charges in every case they pursue.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026
Our decision to let Barack’s career proceed as it had—to give him the freedom to shape and pursue his dreams—led me to tamp down my own efforts at work.
From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
Last week, she asked the Supreme Court to take away the parents’ right to control the medical care of the child while she pursues her request for custody in the Texas courts.
From Slate ● Sep. 17, 2026
A great deal of academic research pursues some type of truth, but not the whole truth.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026
As trade talks with the U.S. collapse, prime minister pursues a major—and risky—pivot to Europe; an Ottawa book club plays its part.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 13, 2026
The newly-listed SpaceX is under pressure to convince investors that it will be profitable even as it pursues its expansion plans.
From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026
“No, no! The lord of the great horns pursues wise, miserable Gurgi with leaping and galloping. Gurgi fears terrible smackings and whackings. He follows kindly and mighty protectors. Faithful Gurgi will not leave them, never!”
From "The Book of Three" by Lloyd Alexander
He lost a bid for San Diego mayor in 2012, and two tries for Congress, and also twice pursued a voter ID ballot measure before aborting the efforts.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 18, 2026
Both indictments were later dismissed because of a defect involving the appointment of the prosecutor, although the Justice Department subsequently pursued a new indictment against Comey.
From Salon ● Oct. 17, 2026
Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb told Natland: "You agreed to be the enforcer and pursued it, despite numerous opportunities to extricate yourself."
From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026
Although Nazi Germany pursued nuclear research through a program known as the Uranprojekt, historians have long debated how close its scientists came to developing a functioning reactor.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026
“So, you haven’t dined with Mr. Jaggers yet?” he pursued, as we walked along.
From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens
He turns once again to reporting, pursuing elusive answers to the questions bedeviling him: Did Mr. Putin ever actually believe he was a spy?
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026
Co-author Bingjie Zhou contributed to the research while pursuing a Ph.D. at the Friedman School.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 22, 2026
With Holmes serving an 11-year federal prison sentence in Texas, Evans is raising their children while pursuing a new biotech venture of his own.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 20, 2026
I was told to keep pursuing the very process that I knew was not being conducted in accordance with the law.
From Slate ● Oct. 19, 2026
We are still pursuing clemency for Trina Garnett, who is serving her life sentence in Pennsylvania, a state that doesn't recognize her right to resentencing despite the Supreme Court ruling.
From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson
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