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View synonyms for pursue

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)
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • purˈsuer, noun
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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
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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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of pursue1

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

This strategy will likely result in substantial death and suffering in countries that are not able to pursue these deals.

She forms her closest friendship with Svetlana, who “sounded really different when she spoke Serbo-Croatian,” and she pursues Ivan, who speaks Hungarian and who also speaks the language of pure mathematics.

From Vox

So Naftogaz advised its government not to pursue a gas deal with the Louisiana company.

I always felt I didn’t have the skill set to lead a company in making an impact on the future, because I didn’t pursue a doctorate and instead had a “fox-like” career.

From Fortune

Elsewhere, districts are pursuing tutoring models to provide personalized in-person or remote academic support.

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

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

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

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

Prosectors decided not to pursue charges against the accused.

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

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

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

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

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

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