pursue

[ per-soo ]

verb (used with object)

, pur·sued, pur·su·ing.

1. to follow in order to overtake, capture, kill, etc.; chase.

   Synonyms: trail, track, hunt

2. to follow close upon; go with; attend:

   Bad luck pursued him.

   Synonyms: dog

3. to strive to gain; seek to attain or accomplish (an end, object, purpose, etc.).
4. to proceed in accordance with (a method, plan, etc.).
5. to carry on or continue (a course of action, a train of thought, an inquiry, studies, etc.).
6. to continue to annoy, afflict, or trouble.
7. to practice (an occupation, pastime, etc.).
8. to continue to discuss (a subject, topic, etc.).
9. to follow:

   They pursued the river to its source. I felt their eyes pursuing me.

10. to continue; go on with (one's course, a journey, etc.).

verb (used without object)

, pur·sued, pur·su·ing.

1. to chase after someone or something; to follow in pursuit:

   They spotted the suspect but decided not to pursue.

2. to continue.

pursue

/ pəˈsjuː /

verb

1. also intr to follow (a fugitive, etc) in order to capture or overtake
2. (esp of something bad or unlucky) to follow closely or accompany

   ill health pursued her

3. to seek or strive to attain (some object, desire, etc)
4. to follow the precepts of (a plan, policy, etc)
5. to apply oneself to (one's studies, hobbies, etc)
6. to follow persistently or seek to become acquainted with
7. to continue to discuss or argue (a point, subject, etc)

Derived Forms

• purˈsuer, noun

Other Words From

• pur·su·a·ble adjective
• out·pur·sue verb (used with object) outpursued outpursuing
• re·pur·sue verb (used with object) repursued repursuing
• un·pur·su·a·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pursue¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English pursuen, from Anglo-French pursuer, ultimately from Latin prōsequī “to pursue, follow, continue”; pro- ¹, sue, prosecute

Word History and Origins

Origin of pursue¹

C13: from Anglo-Norman pursiwer, from Old French poursivre, from Latin prōsequī to follow after

Example Sentences

Or (horrors) he could reach out to congressional leaders in both parties to pursue bipartisan legislation.

From The Daily Beast

Choosing not to pursue a perpetrator is not admittance of lies or false motives.

From The Daily Beast

It was only once he directed and starred in his own short film that he decided to pursue acting as a vocation.

From The Daily Beast

Around 2005, Drew flew west to pursue a career in acting while Jonathan ran the business in Calgary.

From The Daily Beast

Prosectors decided not to pursue charges against the accused.

From The Daily Beast

Mankind, mad with the energy of activity, would be seen to pursue the fleeing phantom of insatiable desire.

From Project Gutenberg

As Farrar rode slowly down the mountain, leading his recovered horse, he revolved in his thoughts what course to pursue.

From Project Gutenberg

And we will mount upon swift ones: therefore shall they be swifter that shall pursue after you.

From Project Gutenberg

It is a thing invented by the great to enable them to pursue the grinding and oppression of the small.

From Project Gutenberg

We thought that we should now quietly pursue our way upon the placid sea, trusting confidently in its peaceful name.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• conduct
• continue
• engage in
• maintain
• practice
• proceed
• prosecute
• tackle