Word
pursuing
Phoneticspur·su·ing, stress on the second syllable
US/pɝˈsuɪŋ/
UK/pəsjˈuːɪŋ/
Definitions
01chasing someone
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. following someone or something in order to catch them.
v. following or chasing a person or animal with the intent to capture, overtake, or harm them.
“The police were pursuing the stolen car through the city streets.”
“The documentary captured the pack of wolves pursuing a lone elk across the frozen tundra for several miles before the final confrontation.”
Usage
Often used in the continuous tense to describe an active chase.
Antonyms
02trying to achieve a goal
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. working hard over a long time to reach a goal or get what you want.
v. striving to attain or accomplish a specific objective, such as a career path, a degree, or a personal ambition.
“She is pursuing a degree in medicine because she wants to help people.”
“After years of working in finance, he decided to start pursuing his lifelong passion for landscape photography as a full-time profession.”
Usage
Commonly collocates with 'career', 'degree', 'dream', or 'goal'.
Antonyms
03investigating or continuing
C1 · Advanced Academic · Formal
v. continuing to look into a subject or an idea to find out more.
v. continuing to investigate, explore, or discuss a particular subject, inquiry, or line of reasoning.
“The journalist is pursuing a new lead in the corruption story.”
“The research team is currently pursuing several different hypotheses to explain the unexpected results of the clinical trial.”
Usage
Often used in academic or professional contexts regarding research or legal inquiries.
Synonyms
04the act of following
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the act of chasing or following something.
n. the action of following or chasing someone or something; used as a gerund to describe the activity itself.
“The pursuing of the suspect lasted for over an hour.”
“The constant pursuing of higher profits sometimes leads companies to ignore their environmental responsibilities.”
Teaching tip
While 'pursuing' can be a noun, 'pursuit' is much more common in general English for this meaning.
Real-World Examples
“Spotify was also pursuing big-name deals when it secured the Sussexes.” “In his memory, Jack is forever pursuing his suicidal mother to the lake, reliving her last minutes.” - 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
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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