chase 1 of 2

verb

Definition of chasenext
1
as in to out
to drive or force out chased the cat out of the garden

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to pursue
to go after or on the track of a dog that likes to chase cars

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to hunt
to seek out (game) for food or sport owls often chase mice in the dark

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to race
to proceed or move quickly they chased all over the place to find the missing child

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

chase

2 of 2

noun

ˈchās How to pronounce chase (audio)
1
as in prey
an animal that is hunted or killed the gazelle is a favorite chase of lions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pursuit
the act of going after or in the tracks of another a high-speed car chase

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word chase distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of chase are follow, pursue, and trail. While all these words mean "to go after or on the track of something or someone," chase implies going swiftly after and trying to overtake something fleeing or running.

a dog chasing a cat

When could follow be used to replace chase?

The words follow and chase are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, follow puts less emphasis upon speed or intent to overtake.

friends followed me home in their car

When is it sensible to use pursue instead of chase?

While the synonyms pursue and chase are close in meaning, pursue suggests a continuing effort to overtake, reach, or attain.

pursued the criminal through narrow streets

When can trail be used instead of chase?

The synonyms trail and chase are sometimes interchangeable, but trail may stress a following of tracks or traces rather than a visible object.

trail deer
trailed a suspect across the country

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 chase
Verb
The video shows the dog chasing the suspect and biting him. —Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 25 May 2025 The result is a property that doesn’t chase trends but sets them. —Nia Bowers, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Noun
But the film’s saving graces include relentless chase scenes, a soaring signature stunt, and one of the series’ most gravity-defying train escapes yet. —Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 23 May 2025 The hidden clues soon take them on a wild goose chase. —Staff Author Published, EW.com, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for chase
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chase
  1. out
  2. pursue
  3. hunt
  4. race
  5. prey
  6. pursuit
  7. dismiss
  8. track
Verb
  • For years, a mysterious figure who goes by the handle Stern led the Trickbot ransomware gang and evaded identification—even as other members of the group were outed in leaks and unmasked.
    — Andy Greenberg, Wired News, 30 May 2025
  • Eddie's real parentage is revealed, Maeve is outed, Kevin catches up with Rusby, Bella brokers her deal, and Alice attends an awkward Harrigan dinner.
    — Matt Cabral, EW.com, 26 May 2025
Definition of out
Verb
  • Conservative governments that preceded him had taken an even stricter position on cannabis, often pursuing a more zero-tolerance approach.
    — Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • Pedro Pascal is strategically pursuing another Emmy, but his limited screen time undoubtedly presents a challenge.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 28 May 2025
Definition of pursue
Verb
  • Seals are known to use their highly sensitive and dexterous whiskers to navigate and hunt, but the role of visual perception is less studied.
    — Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 5 June 2025
  • Powerless is set in the kingdom of Ilya where the Elites reign supreme with their breathtaking powers—and hunt those without.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 5 June 2025
Definition of hunt
Verb
  • Unsurprisingly, the property is well-suited for racing lovers and features its own underground garages and fuel storage.
    — Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
  • This time, the Stig (aka Ben Collins) raced a Praga Bohema, a car that produces less than half the power produced by modern-day hypercars.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 June 2025
Definition of race
Noun
  • In late 2019, a telemarketing company in the Little Rock, Arkansas, area fell prey to a crippling ransomware attack.
    — Harry Kazakian, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
  • The results also indicate that megalodon populations living in different habitats had slightly contrasting diets, potentially because of differing prey availability.
    — Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 May 2025
Definition of prey
Noun
  • In the pursuit of progress, asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.
    — ByDr. Marita Kinney, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
  • Deputies began a pursuit of the driver, and Harrison officers assisted by pinning the vehicle, Graddy said.
    — Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2025
Definition of pursuit
Verb
  • Congressional Republicans, many of whom had also grown annoyed with Musk over the last few months, have largely dismissed the billionaire’s fiery opposition to the bill.
    — Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 6 June 2025
  • For example, recent reports about the potential for automotive production to be curtailed due to rare earth mineral shortages should not be dismissed.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 6 June 2025
Definition of dismiss
Verb
  • Over three years, researchers planted more than 8,000 trees and shrubs across four square miles in a double-blind study and tracked residents’ health.
    — Bill Frist, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
  • Also, new educational disparities will emerge but will not be systematically tracked, communicated, studied, and addressed.
    — Shaun Harper, Time, 4 June 2025
Definition of track

Phrases Containing chase

Browse Nearby Words

chary
chase
chased
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Cite this Entry

“Chase.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chase. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on chase

Nglish: Translation of chase for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chase

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