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View synonyms for

pursue

[per-soo]

verb (used with object)

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

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

    Bad luck pursued him.

    Synonyms:
  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)

pursued, pursuing 
  1. to chase after someone or something; to follow in pursuit.

    They spotted the suspect but decided not to pursue.

  2. to continue.

pursue

/ əˈː /

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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Other Word Forms

  • pursuable adjective
  • outpursue verb (used with object)
  • repursue verb (used with object)
  • unpursuable adjective
  • ܰˈܱ noun
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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 ōī “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 ōī to follow after
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Bibi has relentlessly pursued his vision of the Middle East’s future, in defiance of nearly unanimous opposition from the rest of the non-American world, and is closer than ever to realizing it.

From

That her daughter also pursued photography and nonfiction storytelling could be viewed as the manifestation of a deeply felt connection.

From

Google is doing something similar for students pursuing certificates in data analytics, digital marketing and e-commerce, IT support, project management and other fields.

From

Its demise raises a profound question: what exactly drove its members to pursue a course that many Palestinians have described as politically suicidal?

From

But there was a version of that bus scene where I’m pursuing the bus on a pedal bike, just me.

From

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