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pursuer

pursuer

15 4.2
A person who chases someone or tries hard to get something
  • noun
  • /pərˈsjuːər/
translation icon : perseguidor
  • We turned behind the last of the abandoned vehicles just as our pursuers came even with the first.
  • woman pursuer
  • successful pursuer

And she calls lightning down to kill the the pursuers.

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Examples

  • But they seemed to have eluded their pursuers, at least temporarily.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • She'd run to the rear exit while her pursuers apparently raced to the front.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • If it ran from its pursuer, why did the running bring it back again?

    Fiction book (1993)
  • There is the attempt, or at least the hope that one's pursuer will be misled.

  • As she started off again, her phantom pursuer fell directly into place behind her.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • With luck, it would hold the door against his pursuers if he could get it closed again.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • You gentlemen wait here for our pursuers.

  • She'd been running away and her pursuers had caught up with her?

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Bolting from the road crew, he soon outclimbed his pursuers and escaped into the mountains.

    Academic text (2005)
  • The detective followed his pursuer closely, trying to gather information about the suspect's next move.

Synonyms

hunter
vspursuer
179 1.8

A person who looks for something they want, often as a hobby or job

is broader, including any chasing or trying hard to get things
stalker
vspursuer
  • Offensive
119 7.0

A person who secretly follows and watches someone to frighten or control them

is a neutral term for chasing without illegal or obsessive intent
seeker
vspursuer
98 4.0

A person who searches for knowledge, truth, or a goal

includes both searching and physically chasing or following targets
follower
vspursuer
24 1.0

A person who moves behind another person or goes after them

implies active effort to obtain or catch rather than mere trailing
chaser
vspursuer
20 4.6

A person who runs after someone to try to catch them

covers general chasing or following rather than only fast overtaking
questor
vspursuer
8.9

A person who travels to find something important

is the general act of chasing or following without quest emphasis
dog in the hunt
vspursuer
  • Informal
8.2

A person who cares about the result and is actively involved

refers to literal chasing or following rather than metaphorical involvement
scourer
vspursuer
9.3

A person who travels widely and energetically to search for something

focuses on pursuing a particular person or thing rather than wide travel

Antonyms

252 2.8

A person who protects someone or something from harm

How Aggressive

stalker
  • Offensive
119 7.0
pursuer
15 4.2
hunter
411 1.0

Surface Forms

pursuer singular
pursuers plural

Morphology

pursuer = pursue (transparent) = pursue + er

A straightforward agentive nominalization: 'pursue' + '-er' = 'one who pursues'.

Etymology

Pursuer comes from the verb pursue, which itself comes from old parts pro- 'forward' and sequi 'follow', the same root as in sequel; so a pursuer is literally someone who 'follows after' or chases, which explains the modern meaning.