manhunt

American  

[man-huhnt] / ˈmænˌhʌnt /

noun

1. an intensive search for a criminal, suspect, escaped convict, etc., as by law enforcement agencies.

2. an intensive search for any person.

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manhunt British  

/ ˈmænˌhʌnt /

noun

1. an organized search, usually by police, for a wanted man or fugitive

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Other Word Forms

• man hunter noun
• manhunter noun

Etymology

Origin of manhunt

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45; man + hunt

Example Sentences

Hundreds of police have pursued Freeman through the region's rugged terrain over the past seven months, pouring resources into one of Australia's largest manhunts.

From Barron's

He essentially became part of the inner circle of grief as the case, and the ensuing police manhunt, dominated the news cycle.

From BBC

Mayze fled abroad afterwards, triggering a manhunt by South Wales Police, with bank payments made in Dublin, France, Italy, Croatia and Greece before he was eventually arrested in Romania in July 2025.

From BBC

“The manhunt of the main individual that can give you all the answers be prepared to go international,” the letter reads, according to Levin.

From Los Angeles Times

He disappeared from the city for nine days amid a highly publicized manhunt.

From The Wall Street Journal