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PURSUE
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I. (verb)
Verb forms
Present simple: I / you / we / they pursue ... he / she / it pursues
Past simple: pursued
Past participle: pursued
-ing form: pursuing
Sense 1
Meaning:
Go in search of or hunt for
Example:
pursue a hobby
Synonyms:
go after; pursue; quest after; quest for
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Hypernyms (to "pursue" is one way to...):
look for; search; seek (try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Derivation:
pursuance; pursuit (a search for an alternative that meets cognitive criteria)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Follow in or as if in pursuit
Example:
Her bad deed followed her and haunted her dreams all her life
Synonyms:
follow; pursue
Classified under:
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming
Hypernyms (to "pursue" is one way to...):
go; locomote; move; travel (change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically)
Verb group:
follow; surveil; survey (keep under surveillance)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "pursue"):
stalk (go through (an area) in search of prey)
chase; chase after; dog; give chase; go after; tag; tail; track; trail (go after with the intent to catch)
haunt; stalk (follow stealthily or recur constantly and spontaneously to)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something
Sentence example:
They pursue the car down the avenue
Derivation:
pursuer (a person who is pursuing and trying to overtake or capture)
pursuit (the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in
Example:
They engaged in a discussion
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Hypernyms (to "pursue" is one way to...):
act; move (perform an action, or work out or perform (an action))
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "pursue"):
commit; practice (engage in or perform)
close (engage at close quarters)
politick (engage in political activities)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Derivation:
pursuer (a person who pursues some plan or goal)
pursuit (a diversion that occupies one's time and thoughts (usually pleasantly))
Sense 4
Meaning:
Carry further or advance
Example:
Can you act on this matter soon?
Synonyms:
act on; follow up on; pursue
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Hypernyms (to "pursue" is one way to...):
oppose; react (act against or in opposition to)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "pursue"):
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Derivation:
pursuance (the continuance of something begun with a view to its completion)
pursuant ((followed by 'to') in conformance to or agreement with)
Context examples:
Because of their importance in cancer causation, worldwide efforts to successfully target mutant RAS genes are being pursued.
(Cellular immunotherapy targets a common human cancer mutation, NIH)
Such a monster as had pursued me during the night could have carried away a victim as easily as a cat would a mouse.
(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue this unhappy family?
(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
She then proceeded to inquire into the measures which her father had intended to pursue, while in town, for the recovery of his daughter.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
The line of investigation which I have myself been pursuing.
(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Frank's was the first idea; and his the greatest zeal in pursuing it; for the lady was the best judge of the difficulties, and the most solicitous for accommodation and appearance.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
On pursuing the subject, he found that, dear as all these brothers and sisters generally were, there was one among them who ran more in her thoughts than the rest.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
“What have you done with her? Why have you pursued her? I insist upon an answer!” said I.
(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
But the most dreadful ill-luck pursued me.
(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
“What! do you still pursue the quarrel?” asked Tranter.
(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
