chase

15 synonyms and 5 antonyms for chase, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Verb — To run after someone or something in order to catch them.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

hunt follow track tail trail tag dog pursue following

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

pursuit

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

run after go after furrow chamfer pursual

Synonyms by Meaning

1. verb

To run after someone or something in order to catch them.

“The dog chased the ball across the park.”

run after hunt follow track go after tail trail tag dog pursue furrow chamfer

Opposites

elude evade avoid

2. verb

To pursue a goal, opportunity, or ambition persistently.

“She moved to New York to chase her dream of becoming an actress.”

Opposites

relinquish abandon

3. noun

An act of pursuing someone or something, especially at speed.

“The film's car chase was praised as one of the best in years.”

pursual pursuit following

How to use chase

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

high-speed chase chase a dream chase after someone give chase

Etymology

From Old French chacier, from Vulgar Latin captiare, based on Latin capere ("to seize"). A doublet of "catch," related to "capture."

Full origin of chase →

Frequently asked questions

What does “chase” mean?

The word “chase” means to run after someone or something in order to catch them. In plain terms, to run after or pursue someone/something, whether literally or as a goal.

How do you pronounce “chase”?

“Chase” is pronounced chays (/t͡ʃeɪs/ in IPA).

How do you use “chase” in a sentence?

Here is “chase” used in a sentence: “The dog chased the ball across the park.”

What is another word for “chase”?

Words with a similar meaning to “chase” include pursue.

What part of speech is “chase”?

Depending on how it is used, “chase” can be a verb and a noun.

Where does the word “chase” come from?

The word “chase” comes from Vulgar Latin. From Old French chacier, from Vulgar Latin captiare, based on Latin capere ("to seize"). A doublet of "catch," related to "capture.".

Is “chase” a common word?

“Chase” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “chase” have?

“Chase” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to run after someone or something in order to catch them.

What is the difference between 'chase' and 'pursue'?

'Chase' suggests an active, often fast physical run after someone or something — a dog chasing a ball. 'Pursue' is broader and more formal, covering sustained or figurative efforts, such as pursuing a career or a legal claim. All chasing is a form of pursuing, but not all pursuing is chasing.

What is the opposite of 'chase'?

The main opposites are 'flee,' 'run away,' 'escape,' and 'retreat' — the actions of the one being chased. 'Evade' and 'elude' describe successfully avoiding a chaser. If chasing means trying to catch someone, its natural reverse is fleeing in order to avoid being caught.

What is an example of 'chase' in a sentence?

"The police chased the suspect through the streets" shows the literal sense of running to catch someone. It also works figuratively: "she chased her dream of becoming a pilot," or "he is always chasing deadlines," where the goal is pursued and worked toward rather than physically caught.

People also searched

following follow dog track avoid hunt tag trail tail pursue pursuit abandon

Nearby words

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