Word
manhunt
Phoneticsman·hunt, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈmænˌhənt/
UK/mˈænhʌnt/
Countable noun
Definition
n. an organized search by many people, especially the police, to find a criminal or someone who has escaped. It usually involves a large area and a lot of effort.
n. an intensive, large-scale search for a person, typically a fugitive or suspected criminal, conducted by law enforcement or military forces.
Examples
“The police started a massive manhunt for the escaped prisoner.”
“After the bank robbery, authorities launched a nationwide manhunt to track down the suspects before they could cross the border.”
“The investigation culminated in a high-stakes manhunt across the rugged mountain terrain, involving hundreds of officers and thermal imaging technology to locate the fugitive.”
Examples
simple
“The police started a massive manhunt for the escaped prisoner.”
contextual
“After the bank robbery, authorities launched a nationwide manhunt to track down the suspects before they could cross the border.”
complex
“The investigation culminated in a high-stakes manhunt across the rugged mountain terrain, involving hundreds of officers and thermal imaging technology to locate the fugitive.”
Usage
Often used with verbs like 'launch', 'conduct', or 'organize'.
Real-World Examples
“The first episode of the Channel Five series "Cause of Death", which will explore the manhunt and huge social media interest around the case, will air at 21:00 BST on Wednesday.” Etymology
From man + hunt.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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