pursue

verb pur·sue \pər-ˈsü, -ˈsyü\

: to follow and try to catch or capture (someone or something) for usually a long distance or time

: to try to get or do (something) over a period of time

: to be involved in (an activity)

pur·suedpur·su·ing

Full Definition of PURSUE

transitive verb

: to follow in order to overtake, capture, kill, or defeat

: to find or employ measures to obtain or accomplish : seek <pursue a goal>

: to proceed along <pursues a northern course>

a : to engage in <pursue a hobby>

b : to follow up or proceed with <pursue an argument>

: to continue to afflict : haunt <was pursued by horrible memories>

: ²chase 1c <pursued by dozens of fans>

intransitive verb

: to go in pursuit

— pur·su·er noun

See pursue defined for English-language learners

See pursue defined for kids

Examples of PURSUE

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
[+]more [-]hide

Origin of PURSUE

Middle English, from Anglo-French pursure, pursiure, from Latin prosequi, from pro- forward + sequi to follow — more at pro-, sue

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to PURSUE

Synonyms: bird-dog, chase, course, dog, hound, follow, run, shadow, tag, tail, trace, track, trail

Antonyms: guide, lead, pilot

Synonym Discussion of PURSUE

chase, pursue, follow, trail mean to go after or on the track of something or someone. chase implies going swiftly after and trying to overtake something fleeing or running <a dog chasing a cat>. pursue suggests a continuing effort to overtake, reach, or attain <pursued the criminal through narrow streets>. follow puts less emphasis upon speed or intent to overtake <friends followed me home in their car>. trail may stress a following of tracks or traces rather than a visible object <trail deer> <trailed a suspect across the country>.