pursued; pursuing
1
: to follow in order to overtake, capture, kill, or defeat
2
: to find or employ measures to obtain or accomplish : seek
pursue a goal
3
: to proceed along
pursues a northern course
4
a
: to engage in
pursue a hobby
b
: to follow up or proceed with
pursue an argument
5
: to continue to afflict : haunt
was pursued by horrible memories
6
: chase entry 2 sense 1c
pursued by dozens of fans
: to go in pursuit
pursuer
noun
Synonyms
Examples of pursue in a Sentence
It is this peace among the Great Powers—at least for the near term—that makes it truly possible both to pursue my vision of the post-Cold War world and, at the same time, to hedge against failure by maintaining the capacity to protect ourselves and our interests …
—
Robert S. McNamara, In Retrospect, 1995
The monster truck pursued him at insane speeds, through phone booths and gas pumps and even over cliffs, but he never knew why.
—Hunter S. Thompson, Rolling Stone, 14-28 July 1994
In a world of nation-states the assumption that governments will pursue their own interests gives order and predictability to international affairs.
—Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., American Heritage, 3 May/June 1994
Hounds pursued the fox for miles.
The criminal is being pursued by police.
He chose to pursue a college degree.
She wants to pursue a legal career.
Robert S. McNamara, In Retrospect, 1995
The monster truck pursued him at insane speeds, through phone booths and gas pumps and even over cliffs, but he never knew why.
—Hunter S. Thompson, Rolling Stone, 14-28 July 1994
In a world of nation-states the assumption that governments will pursue their own interests gives order and predictability to international affairs.
—Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., American Heritage, 3 May/June 1994
Hounds pursued the fox for miles.
The criminal is being pursued by police.
He chose to pursue a college degree.
She wants to pursue a legal career.
Recent Examples on the Web
This agape leads me to pursue courage for justice and peace.
—Ron Swain, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
The school would have been a career alternative for students who don’t want to pursue a four-year college degree and would have provided a boost to the trades workforce, advocates said.
—John Tuohy, The Indianapolis Star, 21 Nov. 2024
From taking trips to making art, exploring ancient ruins, building model ships, restoring old cars, blowing glass, writing novels, penning poetry, and displaying taxidermy—there are as many choices as there are happy retirees to pursue them.
—Wes Moss, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
The latter will exit Gucci at the end of December to pursue an external career opportunity after more than seven years with the company and 14 years within parent Kering Group.
—Luisa Zargani, WWD, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pursue 
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Ron Swain, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
The school would have been a career alternative for students who don’t want to pursue a four-year college degree and would have provided a boost to the trades workforce, advocates said.
—John Tuohy, The Indianapolis Star, 21 Nov. 2024
From taking trips to making art, exploring ancient ruins, building model ships, restoring old cars, blowing glass, writing novels, penning poetry, and displaying taxidermy—there are as many choices as there are happy retirees to pursue them.
—Wes Moss, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
The latter will exit Gucci at the end of December to pursue an external career opportunity after more than seven years with the company and 14 years within parent Kering Group.
—Luisa Zargani, WWD, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pursue
Dictionary Entries Near pursue
Cite this Entry
“Pursue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pursue. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pursue
verb
pur·sue
pər-ˈsü 
pursued; pursuing
1
: to follow in order to catch up with and seize
2
: to try to obtain or accomplish : seek
pursue pleasure
3
: to proceed along
pursue a northerly course
4
: to engage in : practice
pursue a hobby
5
: to continue to distress severely : haunt
pursued by fear
pursuer
noun
Etymology
Middle English pursuen "to follow in order to capture or kill," derived from early French pursure, pursiure (same meaning), derived from Latin prosequi "to follow after, pursue," from pro- "forward" and sequi "to follow" — related to sequel
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