pursuit

noun

pur·​suit pər-ˈsüt 

-ˈsyüt

1

: the act of pursuing

2

: an activity that one engages in as a vocation, profession, or avocation : occupation

Synonyms

• chase
• chasing
• dogging
• following
• hounding
• pursuing
• shadowing
• tagging
• tailing
• tracing
• tracking
• trailing

Choose the Right Synonym for pursuit

work, employment, occupation, calling, pursuit, métier, business mean a specific sustained activity engaged in especially in earning one's living.

work may apply to any purposeful activity whether remunerative or not.

her work as a hospital volunteer

employment implies work for which one has been engaged and is being paid by an employer.

your employment with this firm is hereby terminated

occupation implies work in which one engages regularly especially as a result of training.

his occupation as a trained auto mechanic

calling applies to an occupation viewed as a vocation or profession.

the ministry seemed my true calling

pursuit suggests a trade, profession, or avocation followed with zeal or steady interest.

her family considered medicine the only proper pursuit

métier implies a calling or pursuit for which one believes oneself to be especially fitted.

acting was my one and only métier

business suggests activity in commerce or the management of money and affairs.

the business of managing a hotel

Examples of pursuit in a Sentence

The hounds were running in the woods in pursuit of a fox.

She enjoys reading, knitting, and other quiet pursuits.

Recent Examples on the Web

Karoline is pregnant, thanks to a momentary pursuit of pleasure, and that predicament has resulted in the loss of her job at a textile factory. —Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024

This pursuit of profit without really looking at those problems head on sounds dangerous to me. —Lauren Goode, WIRED, 5 Dec. 2024

Travel was another favorite pursuit for Greene, with Jamaica being his go-to place. —Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 5 Dec. 2024

Through the interview and its absurd aftermath, Khalifah satirizes the idea of telling your story as a noble or even politically effective pursuit. —Bekah Waalkes, The Atlantic, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French pursute, from pursure

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pursuit

• hot pursuit
• in close pursuit
• in full pursuit
• in hot pursuit
• in pursuit of
• pursuit plane

Kids Definition

pursuit

noun

pur·​suit pər-ˈsüt 

1

: the act of pursuing

2

: an activity done especially for pleasure