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
In the center, a small stream ox-bowed its way along while chasing the sun through alders and gone-to-seed pastures. — Tom Huggler, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026 Rather than chase more protection, StemRad’s engineers’ near-term focus is preserving what the vest already does, while cutting its weight. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 13 Aug. 2026
Noun
Marquez Smart, 26, shot himself April 22 after a state trooper rammed his vehicle during a chase on Interstate 40. — Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 7 Aug. 2026 During the ensuing chase, his car jumped a curb, drove through a parking lot and reached speeds of more than 75 mph. — Alicia Fabbre, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026 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
  • Speaking of Sugar’s caseload, Season 2’s improvements are evident beyond the inevitable advantages of outing him as an alien.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2026
  • He was criticized for outing LGBTQ+ stars who hadn’t revealed their sexuality publicly, and for bullying others by mocking their misfortune.
    — Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of out
Verb
  • Now, a different development team is pursuing a multifamily project there.
    — Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Well, if Arsenal pursue their surprise interest in the 28-year-old centre-back, perhaps not.
    — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of pursue
Verb
  • The danger comes as drivers hunt for limited street parking, often making their own way, and beachgoers cross four lanes of high-speed traffic.
    — Laurie Perez, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • In response to those run-ins, some lawmakers have proposed establishing a regulated bear hunting season in parts of Connecticut, particularly the northwest corner.
    — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of hunt
Verb
  • With France experiencing its driest year ever, a new fire raced through woodlands overnight in the Landes region on the southwest coast.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • On Wednesday afternoon, Alejandro Eder, the mayor of Cali, told reporters that rescue teams continue to find signs of people alive under the rubble and are racing to save them.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of race
Noun
  • Humpback whales create bubble clouds to corral their prey and then lunge through the center to swallow the small fish.
    — Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 10 Aug. 2026
  • African lions are considered vulnerable, zoo officials said, adding that their population has decreased by 50% over the last 25 years because of habitat loss, loss of prey and conflicts between humans and lions.
    — Finch Walker, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of prey
Noun
  • The Phillies did not acquire another starter at the deadline despite their pursuit.
    — Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Two Chicago men were arrested early Sunday morning following a pursuit along the Borman Expressway in Northwest Indiana.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of pursuit
Verb
  • But by the time of his indictment, Lorch was in failing health and found incompetent to stand trial, and lawsuits against him and the church were dismissed due to statute of limitations issues.
    — Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The lawsuit was dismissed Monday without prejudice, meaning the case may be filed again.
    — Riley Moser, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of dismiss
Verb
  • Those who’ve reported to ICE offices after receiving the notices have been outfitted with ankle monitors that allow authorities to track their location, Dorsainvil says, and many have been assigned court dates in about a month.
    — Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act means the court cannot order Meta to request children to submit personal data or be passively tracked online, even for age verification purposes.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
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 16 Aug. 2026.

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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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