adjective
Uncommon
hunted
HUHN-tihd
Hunted (adjective) means being chased or pursued, or having the fearful look of someone being pursued. Example: “He had a hunted look in his eyes after days on the run.”
adjective
1
Being chased or pursued, or having the fearful look of someone being pursued.
"He had a hunted look in his eyes after days on the run."
"The fox gave the hunted look of an animal that knows the hounds are close."
"She felt hunted as she hurried home along the dark street, glancing behind her."
How to use hunted
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes someone or something being chased, or looking nervous like they're being chased.
Common pairings
a hunted look
feel hunted
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more hunted
- Superlative
- most hunted
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He had a _____ look in his eyes after days on the run.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for hunted
See all rhymes for hunted →Frequently asked questions
What does “hunted” mean?
The word “hunted” means being chased or pursued, or having the fearful look of someone being pursued. In plain terms, describes someone or something being chased, or looking nervous like they're being chased.
How do you pronounce “hunted”?
“Hunted” is pronounced HUHN-tihd (/ˈhʌntɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “hunted” in a sentence?
Here is “hunted” used in a sentence: “He had a hunted look in his eyes after days on the run.”
What part of speech is “hunted”?
“Hunted” is an adjective.
Is “hunted” a common word?
“Hunted” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between hunted and haunted?
Hunted means being chased or pursued, or having the fearful, wary look of someone who is being pursued. Haunted refers to being troubled by memories, guilt, or ghosts, so a "haunted look" suggests inner torment rather than an external chase, even though the two words sound similar.
What does it mean to describe someone as having "a hunted look"?
It means their expression shows the fear or anxiety of someone who feels pursued or trapped, even if no one is literally chasing them. The phrase is commonly used to describe a person's face or eyes rather than their actions.
Is hunted only used as the past tense of hunt, or also as a descriptive adjective?
Hunted functions both ways: as the simple past tense of the verb hunt ("they hunted deer"), and as a standalone adjective describing someone being pursued or looking fearful ("a hunted expression"). Context usually makes clear which use is meant.
