Thesaurus results for PURSUIT

Q: How does the noun 'pursuit' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of pursuit are business , calling , employment , métier , occupation , and work . While all these words mean "a specific sustained activity engaged in especially in earning one's living," pursuit suggests a trade, profession, or avocation followed with zeal or steady interest. // her family considered medicine the only proper pursuit

Q: When is 'business' a more appropriate choice than 'pursuit'?

While in some cases nearly identical to pursuit , business suggests activity in commerce or the management of money and affairs. // the business of managing a hotel

Q: When might 'calling' be a better fit than 'pursuit'?

The meanings of calling and pursuit largely overlap; however, calling applies to an occupation viewed as a vocation or profession. // the ministry seemed my true calling

Q: When is it sensible to use 'employment' instead of 'pursuit'?

The words employment and pursuit can be used in similar contexts, but employment implies work for which one has been engaged and is being paid by an employer. // your employment with this firm is hereby terminated

Q: When would 'métier' be a good substitute for 'pursuit'?

The synonyms métier and pursuit are sometimes interchangeable, but métier implies a calling or pursuit for which one believes oneself to be especially fitted. // acting was my one and only métier

Q: In what contexts can 'occupation' take the place of 'pursuit'?

While the synonyms occupation and pursuit are close in meaning, occupation implies work in which one engages regularly especially as a result of training. // his occupation as a trained auto mechanic

Q: When can 'work' be used instead of 'pursuit'?

Although the words work and pursuit have much in common, work may apply to any purposeful activity whether remunerative or not. // her work as a hospital volunteer

pursuit

noun

pər-ˈsüt

Definition of pursuit next

as in tracking

the act of going after or in the tracks of another the cat ran down the street with a pair of dogs in pursuit

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in hobby

an activity outside of one's regular occupation that is engaged in primarily for pleasure a workaholic with few pursuits outside of the office

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the noun pursuit differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of pursuit are business, calling, employment, métier, occupation, and work. While all these words mean "a specific sustained activity engaged in especially in earning one's living," pursuit suggests a trade, profession, or avocation followed with zeal or steady interest.

her family considered medicine the only proper pursuit

When is business a more appropriate choice than pursuit?

While in some cases nearly identical to pursuit, business suggests activity in commerce or the management of money and affairs.

the business of managing a hotel

When might calling be a better fit than pursuit?

The meanings of calling and pursuit largely overlap; however, calling applies to an occupation viewed as a vocation or profession.

the ministry seemed my true calling

When is it sensible to use employment instead of pursuit?

The words employment and pursuit can be used in similar contexts, but employment implies work for which one has been engaged and is being paid by an employer.

your employment with this firm is hereby terminated

When would métier be a good substitute for pursuit?

The synonyms métier and pursuit are sometimes interchangeable, but métier implies a calling or pursuit for which one believes oneself to be especially fitted.

acting was my one and only métier

In what contexts can occupation take the place of pursuit?

While the synonyms occupation and pursuit are close in meaning, occupation implies work in which one engages regularly especially as a result of training.

his occupation as a trained auto mechanic

When can work be used instead of pursuit?

Although the words work and pursuit have much in common, work may apply to any purposeful activity whether remunerative or not.

her work as a hospital volunteer

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of pursuit Addictive pursuits from substance abuse through to gaming supposedly flood the brain with dopamine and hijack our actions. —

Literary Hub, 13 May 2026 Troopers in Massachusetts stopped their pursuit at the Connecticut border. —

Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 May 2026 The driver took the mile marker 25 exit onto Southwest Eighth Street, about five miles from where the pursuit started, lost control and crashed into a guardrail. —

David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026 Beauty tourism is no longer a niche pursuit. —

Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for pursuit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pursuit

Noun

The initiative confirmed that the number tracking device found on the dead animal corresponded with the one that had been attached to the whale, German news agency dpa reported.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 May 2026
The Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission also gains broader authority over licensing, tracking, inspections, enforcement, and public education.

— Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026

Definition of tracking

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pursuing

pursuit

pursuits

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“Pursuit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pursuit. Accessed 23 May. 2026.

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Synonyms of pursuit

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