Skip to main content
pursuit

pursuit

167 3.7
The act of trying to reach a goal
  • noun
  • /pərˈsuːt/
translation icon : búsqueda
  • The Iranian regime has every reason to persevere in its pursuit of the ultimate weapon.
  • pursuit of happiness
  • pursuit of truth
  • pursuit of liberty

The preconditions for the pursuit of truth are threefold.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

  • The real power comes from the pursuit of excellence.

  • I was in pursuit of something to better myself.

  • Success is the consistent pursuit of something you love.

  • Another theme of discussion was the pursuit of a career in science.

    Academic text (2013)
  • Overall, the professors fared well in their pursuit of active learning.

    Academic text (2017)
  • Moreover, each person tends to excel in some pursuits but not in others.

    Academic text (1999)
  • His relentless pursuit of a healthier lifestyle has inspired many others.

  • The team's pursuit of victory motivated them to train harder every day.

  • In her pursuit of knowledge, she enrolled in several online courses.

Synonyms

attempt
vspursuit
1.0

A try to do something, often when it is difficult

refers to ongoing seeking or striving rather than one isolated try
quest
vspursuit
328 4.7

A long, determined search for something important, often with adventure

is more general, covering short or ordinary aims not only long searches
chase
vspursuit
232 1.0

A pursuit to catch someone or something

focuses on aiming or seeking a goal rather than immediate physical chasing
endeavor
vspursuit
  • US
171 4.1

A determined attempt to do something difficult

is the broader act of aiming for something beyond a single effort
hunting
vspursuit
43 2.2

Looking carefully to find something or someone

is broader, covering any striving to attain goals not just careful finding
striving
vspursuit
7 3.5

A strong effort to reach a goal

is broader, covering any seeking or aiming rather than only great effort
pursuance
vspursuit
  • Formal
2 8.1

Trying to reach a goal or carry out a plan

is the general idea of aiming or seeking rather than specific actions
seeking
vspursuit
1 2.9

Trying to find or get something you want

is about active striving to attain a goal rather than just searching

Antonyms

100 3.5

Not caring for someone or something that needs care

Idioms

Chasing someone quickly right after they run away

Compounds

mammonic pursuit
  • Literature
9.9

A strong, single-minded desire to get money and material things

Freedom to try to find a happy and satisfying life

How Determined

crusade
77 7.1
campaign
2.7
pursuit
167 3.7
aspiration
110 4.2
aim
205 1.0

Surface Forms

pursuit singular
pursuits plural

Morphology

pursuit = pursue (transparent) = pursue + it

The 'striving for or seeking to attain' sense is a direct nominalization of 'pursue' and thus transparent for learners who know the verb.

Etymology

Pursuit comes from Latin parts pro- 'forward' and sequi 'to follow', and is related to words like sequence. So being in the pursuit of a goal means you are 'following after' it, working to reach or achieve it.