pursuing
- 01 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.
Simple“The police were pursuing the stolen car through the city streets.”
In context“The documentary captured the pack of wolves pursuing a lone elk across the frozen tundra for several miles before the final confrontation.”
UsageOften used in the continuous tense to describe an active chase.
Antonyms - 02 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.
Simple“She is pursuing a degree in medicine because she wants to help people.”
In context“After years of working in finance, he decided to start pursuing his lifelong passion for landscape photography as a full-time profession.”
UsageCommonly collocates with 'career', 'degree', 'dream', or 'goal'.
Antonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
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.
Simple“The journalist is pursuing a new lead in the corruption story.”
In context“The research team is currently pursuing several different hypotheses to explain the unexpected results of the clinical trial.”
UsageOften used in academic or professional contexts regarding research or legal inquiries.
Synonyms - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
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.
Simple“The pursuing of the suspect lasted for over an hour.”
In context“The constant pursuing of higher profits sometimes leads companies to ignore their environmental responsibilities.”
Teacher's tipWhile 'pursuing' can be a noun, 'pursuit' is much more common in general English for this meaning.
“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.”