pursuit

noun

pər-ˈsüt How to pronounce pursuit (audio)
Definition of pursuitnext
1
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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2
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

Synonym Chooser

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 That clearly appeals to the mercantile President Trump, whose relentless pursuit of a lucrative deal is being harnessed by the Russian state. —Matthew Chance, CNN, 2 Mar. 2025 The nature of the Investing Club is the pursuit of financial well-being. —Jim Cramer, CNBC, 2 Mar. 2025 Eddie Egan — whose pursuit of a French heroin smuggler turns obsessive. —Jager Weatherby, New York Daily News, 1 Mar. 2025 Everything—from travel to fashion, architecture, interiors and culinary pursuits—is meticulously designed, sometimes obviously, sometimes not. —Rima Suqi, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pursuit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pursuit
  1. tracking
  2. hobby
  3. tracing
  4. sport
  5. recreation
  6. avocation
  7. chase
  8. amusement
Noun
  • Updated on March 4 with Google’s response to the new tracking warning.
    — Zak Doffman, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Project tracking, budget monitoring, and milestone management are all centralized in the platform.
    — Jason Phillips, USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2025
Definition of tracking
Noun
  • Henley’s day job and his hobby have provided him some rare yet nerve-wracking opportunities.
    — Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2025
  • What began as a simple hobby quickly evolved into a more ambitious project, and before long, Zilveti was outlining the world with needle and thread.
    — Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of hobby
Noun
  • Rickman said cotton tracing is a lot like adding features when buying a car: pay more, have more.
    — Star Tribune, Boston Herald, 6 July 2024
  • Decentralized solutions would complement generative AI by providing immutable audit trails into data transactions, thereby enabling easier leak tracing and accountability enforcement.
    — Vishwanadham Mandala, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
Definition of tracing
Noun
  • He’s worked in newsrooms all across the country, including overseeing the USA TODAY sports department.
    — David Ammenheuser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Widely regarded as the greatest designer in the sport’s history, Newey’s cars have won 12 drivers’ championships and 13 constructors’ titles.
    — Dan Cancian, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of sport
Noun
  • The Natural State's burgeoning outdoor recreation industry generated $7.3 billion in direct and indirect economic impact during 2023, per topline figures shared from a new report Monday.
    — Worth Sparkman, Axios, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Yates’ second-degree murder conviction stemmed from killing inmate Nathan Marcus, 33, at a recreation yard, the CDCR has said.
    — Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 24 Feb. 2025
Definition of recreation
Noun
  • These avocations can take many shapes—traveling, golf, time with family, snowboarding, knitting, hunting, gardening, fishing, church choir, college football, crossword puzzles, theater, cycling, and walking.
    — Wes Moss, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
  • What began as an avocation turned into a serious occupation, as Fox Solomon turned to documenting the remnants of segregation visible in Chattanooga and across the South.
    — Christina Cacouris, The New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2024
Definition of avocation
Noun
  • California Highway Patrol officers took over the chase once the car merged onto Interstate 5.
    — City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025
  • View 11 Images Chinese auto marque Chery has created a visionary concept van meant to navigate out of the city and chase adventure with family and friends.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Mar. 2025
Definition of chase
Noun
  • The stark contrast between her daytime and nighttime behavior has only added to the amusement of viewers, many of whom have left lighthearted comments.
    — David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Now proprietors are going after adults with concepts like Holey Moley and Punch Bowl Social, which combines eating and drinking with nostalgic amusements such as billiards, bowling, darts and arcade games.
    — Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025
Definition of amusement

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Cite this Entry

“Pursuit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pursuit. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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