CHASE Synonyms: 231 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

chase 1 of 2

verb

Definition of chase next

as in to out

to drive or force out chased the cat out of the garden

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

as in to hunt

to seek out (game) for food or sport owls often chase mice in the dark

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

as in prey

an animal that is hunted or killed the gazelle is a favorite chase of lions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples of chase in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Several pharmaceutical companies are now chasing the hype, working to introduce new drugs to get in on the demand. —

Bruce Gil, Quartz, 4 Nov. 2024 The opera follows the doomed lovers and their coterie of artist friends chasing happiness against impossible odds. —

Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024

Noun

His chase rate has ballooned over the course of the postseason, increasing from career-low 17.7% during the regular season to 21.3% against the Royals, 33.3% against the Guardians to 35.3% over the three games of the World Series against the Dodgers. —

Maury Brown, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024 For example, the chase at the beginning of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is room-filling and expansive, helping make the action seem more realistic and lifelike. —

PCMAG, 28 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for chase

Recent Examples of Synonyms for chase

Verb

On the mound, Rodón bounced back from a tough AL Division Series outing with a dominant performance for the first postseason victory of his career.

Homero De la Fuente, CNN, 15 Oct. 2024
Drake and Dennis Graham enjoyed a father-son outing over the weekend for a night out at a Toronto jazz club.

Michael Saponara, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2024