Pursue vs. Pursuit: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Pursue means to follow or chase with determination, while pursuit refers to the act of chasing or an activity one engages in persistently.
Key Differences
Pursue is a verb that describes the action of following or seeking to achieve something. Pursuit, as a noun, refers to the act of pursuing or an activity that one is engaged in regularly.
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Nov 18, 2023
In pursue, the focus is on the active process of chasing or striving for a goal. In pursuit, the emphasis is on the ongoing activity or the object of one's chase or focus.
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Pursue often implies a sense of determination and effort in following a goal or target. Pursuit can denote a hobby, profession, or any consistent endeavor someone is involved in.
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Pursue can also signify engaging in an activity or study, but with a more active connotation. Pursuit, however, often represents the continuous nature of an activity or a long-term goal.
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To pursue something means taking action toward a specific end. In contrast, a pursuit is something that occupies one's time and energy over a period.
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Comparison Chart
Meaning
Act of chasing or striving for something
Activity or object one is engaged in or chasing
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Usage in Sentence
Describes an action being taken
Describes the activity or object of focus
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Pursue and Pursuit Definitions
Pursue
Pursue means to chase or follow someone or something.
The detective decided to pursue the suspect across the city.
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Pursuit
Pursuit can describe a field of study or interest.
Her pursuit of knowledge in biology is commendable.
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Pursue
Pursue often suggests a quest for a goal or objective.
The team will pursue the championship title this season.
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Pursuit
Pursuit refers to the act of chasing or following.
The pursuit of the runaway car was intense.
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Pursue
Pursue implies continuing an action or endeavor.
He will pursue his efforts to learn a new language.
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Pursuit
Pursuit indicates an ongoing process or endeavor.
The pursuit of excellence is a key value of our company.
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Pursue
Pursue can indicate trying to obtain or achieve something.
They pursue peace negotiations in the region.
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Pursuit
Pursuit can denote a specific occupation or hobby.
Painting is her favorite artistic pursuit.
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Pursue
To follow in an effort to overtake or capture; chase
A fox that was pursued by hounds.
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Pursuit
Pursuit often means the continued effort to achieve a goal.
His pursuit of happiness is his life's mission.
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Pursuit
The act or an instance of chasing or pursuing
The pursuit of the suspect by the police.
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Pursue
To proceed along the course of; follow
A ship that pursued the southern course.
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Pursuit
The act of striving to gain or accomplish something
The pursuit of wealth.
The pursuit of higher education.
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Pursue
To take action regarding (something), especially with the intention of sustained effort
A detective who pursued each lead.
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Pursuit
The act of pursuing.
Unremitting pursuit of wealth doesn't bring happiness, particularly if successful.
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Pursue
To try to have a romantic relationship with
A lady who was pursued by many suitors.
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Pursuit
(cycle racing) A discipline in track cycling where two opposing teams start on opposite sides of the track and try to catch their opponents.
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Pursue
To continue to torment or afflict; haunt
Was pursued by the demons of lust and greed.
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Pursuit
The act of following or going after; esp., a following with haste, either for sport or in hostility; chase; prosecution; as, the pursuit of game; the pursuit of an enemy.
Weak we are, and can not shun pursuit.
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Pursue
To take action regarding something or carry on an established activity or project.
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Pursuit
A following with a view to reach, accomplish, or obtain; endeavor to attain to or gain; as, the pursuit of knowledge; the pursuit of happiness or pleasure.
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Pursue
(ambitransitive) To follow urgently, originally with intent to capture or harm; to chase.
Pursue one's dreams
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Pursuit
Course of business or occupation; continued employment with a view to same end; as, mercantile pursuits; a literary pursuit.
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Pursue
(transitive) To follow, travel down (a particular way, course of action etc.).
Her rival pursued a quite different course.
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Pursuit
Prosecution.
That pursuit for tithes ought, and of ancient time did pertain to the spiritual court.
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Pursue
(transitive) To aim for, go after (a specified objective, situation etc.).
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Pursuit
The act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture;
The culprit started to run and the cop took off in pursuit
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Pursue
(transitive) To participate in (an activity, business etc.); to practise, follow (a profession).
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Pursuit
A search for an alternative that meets cognitive criteria;
The pursuit of love
Life is more than the pursuance of fame
A quest for wealth
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Pursuit
A diversion that occupies one's time and thoughts (usually pleasantly);
Sailing is her favorite pastime
His main pastime is gambling
He counts reading among his interests
They criticized the boy for his limited pursuits
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Pursue
To follow with a view to overtake; to follow eagerly, or with haste; to chase; as, to pursue a hare.
We happiness pursue; we fly from pain.
The happiness of men lies in purswing,Not in possessing.
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Pursue
To seek; to use or adopt measures to obtain; as, to pursue a remedy at law.
The fame of ancient matrons you pursue.
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Pursue
To proceed along, with a view to some and or object; to follow; to go in; as, Captain Cook pursued a new route; the administration pursued a wise course.
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Pursue
To follow with enmity; to persecute; to call to account.
The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have pursued me, they shall pursue you also.
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Pursue
To go in pursuit; to follow.
The wicked flee when no man pursueth.
Men hotly pursued after the objects of their ambition.
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Pursue
To go on; to proceed, especially in argument or discourse; to continue.
I have, pursues Carneades, wondered chemists should not consider.
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Pursue
To follow a matter judicially, as a complaining party; to act as a prosecutor.
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Pursue
Carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in;
She pursued many activities
They engaged in a discussion
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Pursue
Follow in or as if in pursuit;
The police car pursued the suspected attacker
Her bad deed followed her and haunted her dreams all her life
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Pursue
Pursue can mean to engage in an activity or field of study.
She chose to pursue a career in medicine.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What does it mean to pursue something?
To follow or strive to achieve something with determination.
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What is a pursuit in terms of activities?
An activity or interest that one engages in regularly.
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Can pursue be used in a legal context?
Yes, like pursuing a legal case or claim.
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How does pursue relate to career choices?
It implies actively working towards a specific career path.
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Is pursuit always a physical activity?
No, it can be intellectual, like the pursuit of knowledge.
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Is a pursuit always individual?
No, it can be a group or collective activity too.
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How does pursuit relate to personal goals?
It's the ongoing effort or activity toward achieving them.
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Is pursue always positive?
Not necessarily, it depends on the context and goal.
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What can be considered a pursuit in life?
Anything one regularly engages in, like a hobby or profession.
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Can pursuit be a one-time activity?
Generally, it refers to ongoing or regular activities.
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Can pursue be used in educational contexts?
Yes, like pursuing a degree or area of study.
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Can pursue refer to a negative action?
Yes, if the object of pursuit is harmful or unethical.
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Does pursuit imply passion?
Often, as it involves regular engagement or interest.
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Nov 18, 2023
Can both pursue and pursuit be used interchangeably?
No, they have different grammatical functions and nuances.
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Can pursuing something be temporary?
Yes, but it typically implies a certain degree of continuity.
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Is pursuit limited to hobbies?
No, it includes professions, studies, and personal goals.
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Nov 18, 2023
Does pursuit have different meanings in different contexts?
Yes, its meaning can vary with context.
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Can organizations pursue goals?
Yes, like pursuing a business objective or mission.
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How do pursue and pursuit relate in a sentence?
"Pursue" describes the action; "pursuit" describes the activity or goal.
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Nov 18, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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