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- DictionaryPur·sue/pərˈso͞o/
verb
- 1. follow (someone or something) in order to catch or attack them: "the officer pursued the van" Similar go afterrun afterfollowchasegive chase tohuntstalktracktrailtraceshadowdoghoundcourseinformal:tailOpposite avoidflee
- ▪ seek to form a sexual relationship with (someone) in a persistent way: "Sophie was being pursued by a number of men" Similar woocourtpay court topay suit tochase afterchaserun afterinformal:make up todated:make love toromanceset one's cap atseek the hand ofpay addresses to
- ▪ seek to attain or accomplish (a goal) over a long period: "should people pursue their own happiness at the expense of others?" Similar strive forpush towardwork towardtry forseeksearch forquest (after)be intent onaim at/forhave as a goalhave as an objectiveaspire toOpposite eschew
- ▪ (of something unpleasant) persistently afflict (someone): archaic, literary "mercy lasts as long as sin pursues man"
- 2. (of a person or way) continue or proceed along (a path or route): "the road pursued a straight course over the scrubland"
- ▪ engage in (an activity or course of action): "Andrew was determined to pursue a computer career" Similar engage inbe engaged inbe occupied inparticipate intake part inwork atpracticefollowprosecuteconductplyapply oneself togo in fortake upOpposite shun
- ▪ continue to investigate, explore, or discuss (a topic, idea, or argument): "we shall not pursue the matter any further" Similar conductundertakefollowcarry ondevote oneself togo on withproceed withgo ahead withkeep/carry on withcontinue withcontinuetake furtherprosecutepersist instick with/atinvestigateresearchinquire intolook intoexaminestudyreviewcheckscrutinizeanalyzedelve intodig intoprobeOpposite give up
Word Origin Middle English (originally in the sense ‘follow with enmity’): from Anglo-Norman French pursuer, from an alteration of Latin prosequi ‘prosecute’.
Derivatives
- 1. pursuable adjective
Scrabble Points: 8
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