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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Pursue: Meaning, Examples, and How to Use It (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：strive for (pursue)

pursue 🔊

/pərˈsuː/

vt.

To try to achieve something over time, like a goal, a dream, or a career.

Pursue goal illustration: person planning career objectives at desk

strive for 🔊

➕

/straɪv fɔːr/

vt.

To follow or work toward a particular goal, objective, or career path with dedication and effort.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'prosequi': pro- 'forward' + sequi 'follow'.

💡 Mnemonic

'Pur' (pure) + 'sue' (to take legal action) = pure determination to go after what you want.

📖 Example

To realize her professional dream, she decided to pursue a master's degree in biochemistry. 🔊 To realize her professional dream, she decided to pursue a master's degree in biochemistry.

🔗 Collocations

pursue a goal – to work toward a specific objective

pursue a career – to follow a particular profession

pursue an interest – to engage in an activity that one finds enjoyable or valuable

🔄 Synonyms

seek (v.) – to attempt to find or obtain something

strive for (phr.) – to make great efforts to achieve something

work towards (phr.) – to exert effort to make progress on a goal

🚫 Antonyms

abandon (v.) – to give up a plan or goal entirely

give up (phr.) – to stop trying to achieve something

neglect (v.) – to fail to give proper attention to a goal

🌱 Derivatives

pursuit (n.) – the act of pursuing something

pursuer (n.) – a person who pursues

pursuable (adj.) – capable of being pursued

📖 Cultural Story

Originally a legal term in Latin, 'prosequi' meant 'to follow up'. It entered English via Anglo-French 'pursuer', evolving from literal chasing to figurative striving for goals.

Meaning 2：chase after (pursue)

pursue 🔊

/pərˈsuː/

vt.

To chase or follow someone or something quickly in order to catch them.

Pursue chase scene: golden retriever running after tennis ball

chase after 🔊

➕

/tʃeɪs ˈæftər/

vt.

To follow or run after someone or something with the intent to catch or reach them.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The detectives sprang into action to pursue the suspect through the crowded streets. 🔊 The detectives sprang into action to pursue the suspect through the crowded streets.

🔗 Collocations

pursue a suspect – to chase a person believed to have committed a crime

pursue a thief – to run after someone who has stolen something

pursue a lead – to follow a piece of information in an investigation

🔄 Synonyms

chase (v.) – to run after someone or something in order to catch them

follow (v.) – to go after someone or something, often to observe or track

trail (v.) – to follow the tracks or path of someone or something

🚫 Antonyms

flee (v.) – to run away from someone or something

escape (v.) – to break free from pursuit or confinement

avoid (v.) – to keep away from someone or something

🌱 Derivatives

pursuit (n.) – the act of chasing or following

pursuer (n.) – a person who is chasing someone or something

pursuable (adj.) – capable of being chased or followed