60 Dynamic Synonyms for Chase to Sharpen Your Word Choice

“Chase” is a versatile English word that can describe physically running after someone, pursuing a goal, seeking an opportunity, competing for success, or repeatedly trying to obtain something. A police officer may pursue a suspect, a company may seek growth, and an athlete may strive for a championship. Although these expressions share the idea of movement toward a target, they are not interchangeable in every sentence.

The best alternatives include pursue, follow, track, hunt, seek, trail, race after, go after, strive for, aim for, and work toward. The right choice depends on whether the pursuit is physical, professional, competitive, emotional, or figurative.

This guide to Synonyms for Chase separates close synonyms from contextual alternatives so you can choose words based on meaning, tone, formality, and intensity.

Best Synonyms for Chase at a Glance

What Does Chase Mean?

“Chase” functions primarily as a verb and a noun.

As a verb, its most literal meaning is to follow someone or something quickly in an attempt to catch them.

• The dog chased the ball across the yard.
• Police chased the fleeing vehicle.
• The children chased one another around the playground.

The word also has an important figurative meaning: to actively try to obtain, achieve, or experience something.

• She is chasing her dream of becoming a filmmaker.
• The company is chasing rapid growth.
• The team is chasing its first championship.

As a noun, “chase” refers to the act or event of pursuing someone or something, as in “a high-speed chase.”

Because these senses are different, the best synonym depends heavily on context. Pursue works in both literal and figurative situations, while words such as track, hunt, strive, and aspire apply to narrower kinds of pursuit.

Pronunciation and Word Information

Pronunciation: /tʃeɪs/
Syllables: One
Primary Part of Speech: Verb
Secondary Part of Speech: Noun

Common grammatical forms include:

• Chase — base verb or noun
• Chases — third-person singular verb or plural noun
• Chased — past tense and past participle
• Chasing — present participle and gerund
• Chaser — someone or something that chases

“Chase” is common in both conversational and written English.

Word Family of Chase

The direct grammatical family is relatively small.

Verb: chase
Noun: chase
Agent noun: chaser
Participial form: chasing
Past/participial form: chased

Words such as “pursuit,” “hunter,” and “tracker” belong to related semantic families, but they are not grammatical derivatives of “chase.”

Origin and Etymology of Chase

“Chase” entered English through Old French, where forms related to chacier referred to hunting or pursuing. Its historical association with hunting helps explain why modern English still uses “chase” for both literal pursuit and determined attempts to obtain something.

Over time, the meaning expanded beyond physically following prey or another person. Modern speakers can chase a dream, chase success, chase attention, chase profits, or chase an opportunity without physically moving after anything.

Connotation and Tone of Chase

“Chase” is generally neutral, but its connotation changes according to context.

In physical situations, it suggests active and often rapid pursuit:

The dog chased the squirrel.

In ambitious contexts, it can sound energetic and determined:

She spent years chasing her dream.

In other situations, however, “chasing” can suggest excessive or persistent pursuit:

He was constantly chasing approval from others.

The word is less formal than pursue and usually more active than seek. It can also imply urgency more strongly than expressions such as work toward or aim for.

Synonyms for Chase by Context

Different senses of “chase” require different alternatives.

For Physical Pursuit

Use pursue, follow, run after, race after, trail, or give chase to when someone or something is physically moving after a target.

“Pursue” is particularly versatile because it works in formal descriptions:

Officers pursued the vehicle.

“Run after” is more conversational:

He ran after the bus.

For Searching and Hunting

Use hunt, track, stalk, search for, seek, scour for, or look for when the emphasis is finding or locating a target rather than simply moving behind it.

Rangers tracked the animal through the forest.

For Goals and Ambitions

Use pursue, strive for, aim for, aspire to, work toward, endeavor to achieve, or set one’s sights on.

She pursued a career in medicine.

These choices often sound more deliberate than “chase.”

For Competition

Use vie for, compete for, contend for, challenge for, race for, or make a bid for.

Four teams are vying for the championship.

These alternatives emphasize competition rather than pursuit alone.

For Opportunities, Attention, or Support

Depending on the object, use seek, pursue, court, solicit, canvass for, or go after.

The company is courting new investors.

“Court” is especially useful when someone deliberately tries to gain favor, support, customers, or attention.

60 Synonyms and Alternatives for Chase

The following collection includes close synonyms as well as clearly identified contextual alternatives. Not all 60 words and expressions can replace “chase” in every sentence.

1. Pursue

Part of Speech: Verb

Meaning: To follow someone or actively work toward obtaining or achieving something.

Best Used For: Physical pursuit, careers, goals, opportunities, and ambitions.

Example: She decided to pursue a career in architecture.

Nuance: More formal and deliberate than “chase,” especially when discussing long-term goals.

Synonym Strength: Very Close

2. Follow

Part of Speech: Verb

Meaning: To move behind someone or something along the same route.

Best Used For: Physical movement and directional pursuit.

Example: The security guard followed the suspicious visitor.

Nuance: Following does not necessarily involve trying to catch the target.

Synonym Strength: Close

3. Track

Part of Speech: Verb

Meaning: To follow the movements, location, or progress of someone or something.

Best Used For: Animals, suspects, shipments, data, and progress.

Example: Rangers tracked the wolf through the snow.

Nuance: Emphasizes monitoring or locating rather than rapid pursuit.

Synonym Strength: Contextual

4. Hunt

Part of Speech: Verb

Meaning: To search actively for someone, an animal, or something difficult to find.

Best Used For: Prey, missing objects, fugitives, or difficult searches.

Example: The detectives hunted for additional evidence.

Nuance: Focuses more on searching than following.

Synonym Strength: Contextual

5. Seek

Part of Speech: Verb

Meaning: To attempt to find, obtain, or achieve something.

Best Used For: Answers, opportunities, assistance, employment, and goals.

Example: The organization is seeking additional funding.

Nuance: Less urgent and physically active than “chase.”

Synonym Strength: Close

6. Trail

Part of Speech: Verb

Meaning: To follow behind a person, animal, or vehicle.

Best Used For: Discreet or sustained physical following.

Example: Investigators trailed the vehicle across town.

Nuance: Often implies remaining behind rather than attempting an immediate capture.

Synonym Strength: Close

7. Run After

Part of Speech: Phrasal expression

Meaning: To run behind someone or something in an effort to reach or catch it.

Best Used For: Everyday descriptions of physical pursuit.

Example: Maya ran after the bus, hoping the driver would stop.

Nuance: More conversational and specifically physical.

Synonym Strength: Very Close

8. Race After

Part of Speech: Phrasal expression

Meaning: To move very quickly after someone or something.

Best Used For: Urgent physical pursuit.

Example: He raced after the dog when it escaped through the gate.

Nuance: Adds greater speed and urgency than ordinary “chase.”

Synonym Strength: Close

9. Go After

Part of Speech: Phrasal verb

Meaning: To actively pursue a person, objective, opportunity, or desired result.

Best Used For: Goals, jobs, prizes, people, and opportunities.

Example: She decided to go after the promotion.

Nuance: Informal and strongly action-oriented.

Synonym Strength: Very Close

10. Give Chase To

Part of Speech: Verbal expression

Meaning: To begin pursuing someone or something that is moving away.

Best Used For: Narrative descriptions and literal pursuit.

Example: The officers gave chase to the fleeing suspect.

Nuance: More literary or report-like than simply saying “chase.”

Synonym Strength: Very Close

11. Pursue After

Part of Speech: Verbal expression

Meaning: To continue after a moving target.

Best Used For: Literal pursuit in contexts where movement is emphasized.

Example: The riders pursued after the escaping horses.

Nuance: Usually less natural than simply “pursue” in modern English and should be used sparingly.

Synonym Strength: Contextual

12. Stalk

Part of Speech: Verb

Meaning: To follow a person or animal quietly and persistently.

Best Used For: Hunting or descriptions of secretive following.

Example: The tiger stalked its prey through the grass.

Nuance: Often carries threatening or predatory implications when applied to people.

Synonym Strength: Narrower

13. Shadow

Part of Speech: Verb

Meaning: To follow someone closely, often without being noticed.

Best Used For: Surveillance and investigation.

Example: The detective shadowed the suspect for several hours.

Nuance: Implies discreet observation rather than open pursuit.

Synonym Strength: Contextual

14. Tail

Part of Speech: Verb

Meaning: To secretly follow someone, especially for surveillance.

Best Used For: Police, detective, and espionage contexts.

Example: The investigator tailed the car to a warehouse.

Nuance: Informal and specifically associated with covert following.

Synonym Strength: Contextual

15. Dog

Part of Speech: Verb

Meaning: To follow or trouble someone persistently.

Best Used For: Persistent pursuit, problems, criticism, or unwanted attention.

Example: Reporters dogged the celebrity throughout the investigation.

Nuance: Usually suggests persistence that is troublesome or difficult to escape.

Synonym Strength: Contextual

16. Hound

Part of Speech: Verb

Meaning: To pursue, pressure, or bother someone repeatedly.

Best Used For: Persistent demands, questioning, or unwanted attention.

Example: Journalists hounded the spokesperson for an explanation.

Nuance: Strongly suggests harassment or relentless pressure.

Synonym Strength: Contextual

17. Search For

Part of Speech: Verbal expression

Meaning: To try to locate or discover something.

Best Used For: Missing objects, people, information, and answers.

Example: Volunteers searched for the missing hiker.

Nuance: Unlike “chase,” it does not require a moving target.

Synonym Strength: Contextual

18. Look For

Part of Speech: Phrasal verb

Meaning: To try to find someone or something.

Best Used For: Everyday searches.

Example: I am looking for a better apartment.

Nuance: Much softer and broader than “chase.”

Synonym Strength: Contextual

19. Scour For

Part of Speech: Verbal expression

Meaning: To search thoroughly over a wide area for something.

Best Used For: Intensive searches.

Example: Recruiters scoured the industry for experienced candidates.

Nuance: Emphasizes thorough searching rather than following.

Synonym Strength: Contextual

20. Quest For

Part of Speech: Verbal expression

Meaning: To undertake a determined search for something valuable or important.

Best Used For: Knowledge, discovery, achievement, or literary contexts.

Example: Scientists continue to quest for a deeper understanding of the phenomenon.

Nuance: More elevated and literary than “chase.”

Synonym Strength: Contextual

21. Strive For

Part of Speech: Phrasal verb

Meaning: To make a strong and sustained effort to achieve something.

Best Used For: Excellence, improvement, goals, and standards.

Example: The organization strives for greater transparency.

Nuance: Highlights effort and determination rather than pursuit itself.

Synonym Strength: Close

22. Aim For

Part of Speech: Phrasal verb

Meaning: To intend or plan to achieve a particular result.

Best Used For: Goals, targets, scores, and outcomes.

Example: The company is aiming for steady growth next year.

Nuance: More focused on intention than active pursuit.

Synonym Strength: Close

23. Work Toward

Part of Speech: Phrasal verb

Meaning: To make gradual efforts toward achieving an objective.

Best Used For: Long-term goals and improvement.

Example: The team is working toward a permanent solution.

Nuance: Calmer and more methodical than “chase.”

Synonym Strength: Close

24. Aspire To

Part of Speech: Verb phrase

Meaning: To strongly desire and hope to achieve or become something.

Best Used For: Careers, personal ambitions, ideals, and achievements.

Example: He aspires to become a research scientist.

Nuance: Expresses ambition but does not necessarily imply active pursuit.

Synonym Strength: Contextual

25. Endeavor To Achieve

Part of Speech: Verbal expression

Meaning: To make a serious effort to accomplish something.

Best Used For: Formal, professional, and institutional writing.

Example: The program endeavors to achieve greater access to education.

Nuance: Considerably more formal than “chase.”

Synonym Strength: Contextual

26. Try For

Part of Speech: Phrasal verb

Meaning: To make an attempt to obtain or achieve something.

Best Used For: Positions, awards, records, or opportunities.

Example: She decided to try for a place on the national team.

Nuance: Suggests an attempt without the persistence implied by “chase.”

Synonym Strength: Contextual

27. Reach For

Part of Speech: Phrasal verb

Meaning: To attempt to attain something desirable or ambitious.

Best Used For: Figurative goals and aspirations.

Example: The young entrepreneur continued reaching for bigger goals.

Nuance: Often sounds hopeful or aspirational.

Synonym Strength: Contextual

28. Set One’s Sights On

Part of Speech: Idiomatic expression

Meaning: To choose something as a goal and become determined to obtain it.

Best Used For: Ambitions, positions, achievements, and targets.

Example: She set her sights on qualifying for the final.

Nuance: Emphasizes selecting a target before pursuing it.

Synonym Strength: Close

29. Make For

Part of Speech: Phrasal verb

Meaning: To move directly toward a place or target.

Best Used For: Physical direction.

Example: The children made for the exit when the bell rang.

Nuance: Describes movement toward rather than pursuit of a fleeing target.

Synonym Strength: Contextual

30. Press Toward

Part of Speech: Verbal expression

Meaning: To continue determinedly toward an objective.

Best Used For: Progress, difficult goals, and literary descriptions.

Example: The climbers pressed toward the summit despite the cold.

Nuance: Emphasizes persistence through difficulty.

Synonym Strength: Contextual

31. Vie For

Part of Speech: Phrasal verb

Meaning: To compete eagerly with others for something.

Best Used For: Titles, awards, positions, contracts, and recognition.

Example: Five candidates are vying for the leadership position.

Nuance: Requires competition with others.

Synonym Strength: Contextual

32. Compete For

Part of Speech: Verbal expression

Meaning: To attempt to win something against other participants.

Best Used For: Prizes, jobs, markets, championships, and resources.

Example: Several firms are competing for the contract.

Nuance: Emphasizes rivalry rather than pursuit.

Synonym Strength: Contextual

33. Contend For

Part of Speech: Phrasal verb

Meaning: To compete seriously for a prize, title, or position.

Best Used For: Sports and formal competitive contexts.

Example: The club is contending for the league title.

Nuance: More formal than “chase” and strongly associated with competition.

Synonym Strength: Contextual

34. Challenge For

Part of Speech: Verbal expression

Meaning: To compete seriously for a title or leading position.

Best Used For: Sports and competitive rankings.

Example: The team hopes to challenge for the championship this season.

Nuance: Suggests being a credible competitor rather than merely wanting the prize.

Synonym Strength: Contextual

35. Race For

Part of Speech: Verbal expression

Meaning: To compete urgently with others to obtain something first.

Best Used For: Positions, resources, discoveries, or political and commercial competition.

Example: Several companies are racing for leadership in the emerging market.

Nuance: Adds urgency and direct competition.

Synonym Strength: Close

36. Make A Bid For

Part of Speech: Idiomatic expression

Meaning: To make a serious attempt to obtain or achieve something.

Best Used For: Titles, contracts, control, and positions.

Example: The club is making a bid for the championship.

Nuance: Often describes a deliberate competitive attempt.

Synonym Strength: Contextual

37. Push For

Part of Speech: Phrasal verb

Meaning: To make a determined effort to obtain, achieve, or introduce something.

Best Used For: Changes, reforms, agreements, and goals.

Example: Employees are pushing for greater flexibility.

Nuance: Often involves advocacy or pressure rather than simple pursuit.

Synonym Strength: Contextual

38. Press For

Part of Speech: Phrasal verb

Meaning: To demand or strongly pursue a desired result.

Best Used For: Answers, action, reforms, and decisions.

Example: Residents pressed for improvements to public transportation.

Nuance: More forceful than “seek” and often involves applying pressure.

Synonym Strength: Contextual

39. Campaign For

Part of Speech: Phrasal verb

Meaning: To organize sustained activity in support of a desired result.

Best Used For: Causes, changes, rights, and public initiatives.

Example: Local groups campaigned for improved road safety.

Nuance: Refers to organized advocacy, not ordinary pursuit.

Synonym Strength: Narrower

40. Court

Part of Speech: Verb

Meaning: To actively try to gain someone’s support, business, favor, or attention.

Best Used For: Customers, investors, voters, publicity, and approval.

Example: The startup is courting international investors.

Nuance: Implies deliberate attempts to attract or persuade.

Synonym Strength: Contextual

41. Solicit

Part of Speech: Verb

Meaning: To formally request or seek something.

Best Used For: Donations, feedback, business, support, and contributions.

Example: The organization solicited feedback from residents.

Nuance: More formal and request-oriented than “chase.”

Synonym Strength: Contextual

42. Canvass For

Part of Speech: Phrasal verb

Meaning: To actively seek support, opinions, orders, or votes from people.

Best Used For: Organized outreach and public campaigns.

Example: Volunteers canvassed for support throughout the neighborhood.

Nuance: A specialized form of seeking rather than a general synonym for “chase.”

Synonym Strength: Narrower

43. Woo

Part of Speech: Verb

Meaning: To try to gain someone’s favor, support, affection, or business.

Best Used For: Customers, investors, supporters, or romantic attention.

Example: The retailer introduced new benefits to woo younger customers.

Nuance: More persuasive and attraction-focused than “chase.”

Synonym Strength: Contextual

44. Target

Part of Speech: Verb

Meaning: To identify and direct efforts toward a particular person, group, or objective.

Best Used For: Marketing, strategy, investigation, and goals.

Example: The campaign targeted first-time buyers.

Nuance: Describes selecting and focusing on a target rather than pursuing it.

Synonym Strength: Related, Not Exact

45. Zero In On

Part of Speech: Phrasal verb

Meaning: To focus closely on a particular target or objective.

Best Used For: Investigations, decisions, opportunities, and problem solving.

Example: Researchers zeroed in on the most likely explanation.

Nuance: Focuses on narrowing attention rather than chasing.

Synonym Strength: Related, Not Exact

46. Bear Down On

Part of Speech: Phrasal verb

Meaning: To move quickly or threateningly toward someone or something.

Best Used For: Physical movement and dramatic descriptions.

Example: The larger boat was bearing down on the smaller vessel.

Nuance: Suggests approaching forcefully, not necessarily following.

Synonym Strength: Contextual

47. Close In On

Part of Speech: Phrasal verb

Meaning: To gradually reduce the distance between oneself and a target.

Best Used For: Pursuit, capture, competition, or nearing a goal.

Example: The officers were closing in on the suspect.

Nuance: Describes a stage within a pursuit rather than the entire act of chasing.

Synonym Strength: Contextual

48. Catch Up With

Part of Speech: Phrasal verb

Meaning: To reach someone or something that was previously ahead.

Best Used For: Physical pursuit or competitive progress.

Example: She increased her pace to catch up with the leading runners.

Nuance: Refers to eliminating a gap, often after a chase has already begun.

Synonym Strength: Contextual

49. Keep After

Part of Speech: Phrasal verb

Meaning: To continue pursuing or repeatedly press someone about something.

Best Used For: Persistent informal pursuit or reminders.

Example: He kept after the supplier until the issue was resolved.

Nuance: Strongly emphasizes persistence.

Synonym Strength: Contextual

50. Follow Up On

Part of Speech: Phrasal verb

Meaning: To take additional action regarding something already started.

Best Used For: Leads, opportunities, requests, and investigations.

Example: The reporter followed up on several promising leads.

Nuance: It can replace the idea of “chasing” a lead, but not literal physical chasing.

Synonym Strength: Contextual

51. Ferret Out

Part of Speech: Phrasal verb

Meaning: To discover something through persistent searching.

Best Used For: Facts, secrets, information, and hidden details.

Example: The investigators ferreted out several important inconsistencies.

Nuance: Focuses on uncovering hidden information.

Synonym Strength: Contextual

52. Run Down

Part of Speech: Phrasal verb

Meaning: To locate someone or something after searching.

Best Used For: Information, sources, people, or hard-to-find objects.

Example: The journalist finally ran down the original source of the story.

Nuance: Informal and emphasizes successfully locating the target.

Synonym Strength: Contextual

53. Root Out

Part of Speech: Phrasal verb

Meaning: To find and expose something hidden, often so it can be removed.

Best Used For: Problems, corruption, errors, or hidden causes.

Example: The audit was designed to root out accounting irregularities.

Nuance: More about discovery and removal than pursuit.

Synonym Strength: Related, Not Exact

54. Home In On

Part of Speech: Phrasal verb

Meaning: To move or focus increasingly toward a specific target.

Best Used For: Investigations, searches, decisions, and physical targeting.

Example: Detectives homed in on a key piece of evidence.

Nuance: Emphasizes increasingly precise focus.

Synonym Strength: Contextual

55. Drive Toward

Part of Speech: Verbal expression

Meaning: To direct sustained effort toward an objective.

Best Used For: Business goals, improvement, change, and achievement.

Example: The new strategy is designed to drive toward greater efficiency.

Nuance: More strategic and purposeful than “chase.”

Synonym Strength: Contextual

56. Labor For

Part of Speech: Verbal expression

Meaning: To work hard over time in pursuit of a result.

Best Used For: Difficult goals, causes, or achievements.

Example: Generations of researchers labored for a clearer understanding of the problem.

Nuance: Emphasizes sustained work rather than pursuit or speed.

Synonym Strength: Contextual

57. Struggle For

Part of Speech: Phrasal verb

Meaning: To make a difficult or determined effort to obtain something.

Best Used For: Rights, survival, control, recognition, or difficult goals.

Example: The small business struggled for stability during its early years.

Nuance: Adds hardship or resistance that “chase” does not necessarily imply.

Synonym Strength: Contextual

58. Reach Toward

Part of Speech: Verbal expression

Meaning: To extend effort or movement toward a desired objective.

Best Used For: Figurative, aspirational, or literary contexts.

Example: The organization continues to reach toward ambitious sustainability goals.

Nuance: Softer and more aspirational than “chase.”

Synonym Strength: Contextual

59. Pursue Relentlessly

Part of Speech: Verbal expression

Meaning: To continue seeking a target or objective without giving up.

Best Used For: Intense goals, investigations, or persistent pursuit.

Example: The researcher pursued the answer relentlessly.

Nuance: Stronger than ordinary “chase” because it explicitly emphasizes persistence.

Synonym Strength: Contextual

60. Stay On The Trail Of

Part of Speech: Idiomatic expression

Meaning: To continue following clues, movements, or evidence connected with a target.

Best Used For: Investigations, hunting, and narrative pursuit.

Example: Detectives stayed on the trail of the missing shipment.

Nuance: Suggests continued tracking rather than rapid physical pursuit.

Synonym Strength: Contextual

Closest, Contextual, and Related Alternatives

Understanding the relationship between these words prevents awkward substitutions.

“Pursue” is the broadest close substitute because it can describe both literal and figurative chasing:

Police pursued the vehicle.

She pursued her ambitions.

By contrast, “track,” “vie for,” and “court” are appropriate only when the particular context supports their narrower meanings.

Synonyms by Strength or Intensity

The intensity of these expressions depends on context, so this is not a fixed mathematical scale. Still, some useful general distinctions can be made.

Softer or less urgent: look for, seek, aim for, aspire to, work toward, reach toward

Moderate: follow, pursue, track, go after, strive for, compete for, court

Stronger or more persistent: race after, hunt, press for, struggle for, hound, pursue relentlessly

Consider the difference:

She aimed for success.

This sounds purposeful but controlled.

She chased success.

This sounds more active and energetic.

She pursued success relentlessly.

This explicitly emphasizes extreme persistence.

Formal and Informal Alternatives

Formal or Professional

Useful formal choices include:

pursue, seek, endeavor to achieve, contend for, solicit, strive for, and work toward.

For example:

The institution seeks additional funding.

usually sounds more professional than:

The institution chases additional funding.

Neutral or Everyday

Common neutral alternatives include:

follow, track, hunt, aim for, compete for, search for, and work toward.

These choices fit a wide range of normal writing.

Informal or Conversational

Useful informal choices include:

go after, run after, look for, keep after, run down, and catch up with.

Go after the job you really want.

sounds natural in conversation.

Literary or Expressive

More stylistically marked choices include:

quest for, press toward, stay on the trail of, and set one’s sights on.

They can add narrative or figurative force when the context supports them.

Chase vs Similar Words

Chase vs Pursue

Both can describe following a target or trying to achieve something.

“Chase” often feels more immediate, energetic, or informal. “Pursue” sounds more deliberate and formal.

The dog chased the rabbit.

Investigators pursued the suspect.

For ambitions, “pursue” is often preferable in professional writing:

She pursued her academic goals.

Chase vs Follow

To “follow” is simply to move behind someone or something. To “chase” normally means following with the intention of reaching, catching, or obtaining the target.

A car followed us for three miles.

does not necessarily mean:

A car chased us for three miles.

The second sentence implies a much more active and potentially threatening pursuit.

Chase vs Track

“Track” means monitoring or following the path, location, or progress of something.

A wildlife researcher may track an animal without chasing it.

Similarly, software can track a package, but it cannot literally chase one.

Chase vs Hunt

“Hunt” emphasizes searching for a target. “Chase” emphasizes pursuing a target, especially one already located or moving.

They hunted for the missing animal.

suggests they were trying to locate it.

They chased the animal.

means they were already pursuing it.

Chase vs Seek

“Seek” is broader, calmer, and often more formal.

You can seek advice, seek permission, or seek employment, but saying you “chase permission” would normally sound unnatural.

“Chase” works better when active or persistent pursuit is central.

Chase vs Strive

“Strive” focuses on intense effort toward achievement.

She strives for excellence.

is natural because excellence is an abstract standard.

“Chasing excellence” is also possible, but it creates a more figurative image of active pursuit.

Words Related to Chase That Are Not Exact Synonyms

Several words belong to the same semantic field but should not automatically be treated as synonyms.

Capture

“Capture” describes successfully catching or gaining control of the target. A chase may lead to a capture, but the two actions are not identical.

Catch

“Catch” is usually the desired result of a physical chase.

He chased the ball and caught it.

The two verbs describe different stages.

Escape

“Escape” describes what the target may attempt to do during a chase. It expresses the opposite direction of action rather than the same action.

Search

A search may occur before a chase. Searching means trying to locate something; chasing generally assumes a more active pursuit.

Target

To target something is to identify it as the focus of an action. The actual pursuit may come afterward.

Ambition

Ambition can motivate someone to chase a goal, but it is a desire or drive, not the act of pursuing.

Pursuit

“Pursuit” is closely related but is a noun rather than a direct verb replacement in sentences requiring “chase” as a verb.

The pursuit lasted twenty minutes.

It may replace the noun “chase” in some contexts, but sentence structure usually changes.

Poetic and Creative Words for Chase

Creative writing sometimes uses figurative expressions instead of literal synonyms.

Follow the trail — adventurous or investigative.

She followed the trail of clues into the past.

Reach for the stars — inspirational and aspirational.

He continued to reach for the stars despite early setbacks.

Set one’s sights on — determined and goal-focused.

She set her sights on the national championship.

Stay on the scent — figurative and investigative.

The journalist stayed on the scent of the developing story.

Race toward — energetic and dramatic.

The explorers raced toward their destination.

These expressions can evoke pursuit, but they should not be presented as universally interchangeable dictionary synonyms for “chase.”

Words Related to Chase

The broader vocabulary surrounding “chase” can be organized by function.

Actions of pursuit: pursuit, following, tracking, hunting, trailing

Actions of searching: searching, seeking, investigating, scouting

Competitive actions: competing, contending, challenging, racing

Goal-oriented actions: striving, aiming, working, aspiring

Possible outcomes: capture, attainment, achievement, discovery

People involved: pursuer, chaser, tracker, hunter, seeker, competitor

These words expand the semantic field without pretending that every term means exactly the same thing.

Common Collocations With Chase

“Chase” combines naturally with both literal and figurative objects.

Common combinations include:

• chase a suspect
• chase a thief
• chase a vehicle
• chase a ball
• chase an animal
• chase a dream
• chase success
• chase fame
• chase money
• chase profits
• chase opportunities
• chase a goal
• chase a record
• chase a championship
• chase a lead
• chase approval
• chase attention

The object strongly influences which synonym sounds natural.

For example:

chase a suspect → pursue, follow, track

chase a dream → pursue, strive for, work toward

chase customers → court, pursue, seek

chase a championship → contend for, compete for, vie for

chase information → seek, search for, follow up on

Antonyms of Chase

There is no single antonym that works for every meaning of “chase.” The opposite depends on what kind of pursuit is involved.

Flee

To move away quickly from danger or a pursuer.

The suspect fled while officers gave chase.

It represents the opposite role in a physical chase.

Evade

To avoid being caught or found.

The animal evaded its pursuers.

“Evade” contrasts with chasing from the perspective of the target.

Escape

To get away successfully from pursuit or confinement.

The driver escaped before officers could catch up.

Avoid

To deliberately stay away from someone or something.

Instead of pursuing publicity, she avoided media attention.

This can oppose figurative “chasing” when someone deliberately rejects a target.

Abandon

To stop pursuing an objective or course of action.

The company abandoned its expansion plans.

It contrasts with continuing to chase a goal.

Relinquish

To voluntarily give up a claim, position, or desired object.

He relinquished his claim to the position.

This is a formal contrast to actively pursuing something.

Withdraw

To remove oneself from a competition, pursuit, or activity.

The candidate withdrew from the competition.

This contrasts especially well with “chase” when the target is a title, position, or prize.

How to Choose the Right Synonym for Chase

The best alternative depends first on what is being chased.

For physical pursuit, choose words such as pursue, follow, trail, run after, or race after.

Instead of:

Police chased the vehicle.

You might write:

Police pursued the vehicle.

The second version is more formal.

When the target is a goal, use pursue, strive for, aim for, work toward, or aspire to.

Instead of:

She is chasing academic excellence.

A more measured version is:

She is striving for academic excellence.

For competition, consider vie for, contend for, compete for, or challenge for.

Instead of:

Three teams are chasing the title.

You could write:

Three teams are contending for the title.

When someone is trying to gain attention, business, or support, court or woo may be more precise.

The company is chasing new customers.

can become:

The company is courting new customers.

Finally, consider intensity. Seek sounds restrained, pursue sounds deliberate, chase sounds active, and hound suggests excessive persistence. Matching that intensity to the situation makes the sentence more precise.

Common Mistakes When Using Chase Synonyms

One common mistake is assuming that every word connected with pursuit can replace “chase.”

Track is not always “chase.” A researcher can track an animal remotely without pursuing it physically.

Follow is also weaker. Someone following a car may simply be traveling behind it; someone chasing the car is actively trying to reach it.

Another mistake is using highly specific words outside their proper context. Vie for requires competition, while court usually involves trying to gain favor, business, support, or attention.

Writers should also watch connotation. Stalk and hound can sound threatening or strongly negative when applied to people. They should not casually replace neutral “chase.”

Finally, grammatical category matters. Pursuit can sometimes replace the noun “chase,” but it cannot directly replace the verb without restructuring the sentence.

Read: 60 Practical Synonyms for Skillset
Read: 60 Precise Synonyms for Inform
Read: 60 Synonyms for Butterfly
Read: 65 Practical Synonyms for Worry
Read: 60 Precise Synonyms for Ignore

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Another Word for Chase?

Pursue is one of the closest and most versatile alternatives to “chase.” Other useful choices include follow, track, seek, hunt, trail, and go after, depending on context.

What Is the Closest Synonym for Chase?

For general usage, pursue is usually the closest synonym because both words can refer to literal pursuit and figurative attempts to achieve something.

What Is a Formal Synonym for Chase?

Pursue is the most useful formal alternative.

For example:

The organization is pursuing new opportunities.

usually sounds more formal than:

The organization is chasing new opportunities.

What Is an Informal Synonym for Chase?

Go after and run after are common informal alternatives.

“Go after” works especially well for figurative targets:

She went after the job she wanted.

What Is a Stronger Word for Chase?

The answer depends on the situation. Hound suggests relentless and often unwanted pursuit, while pursue relentlessly explicitly conveys extreme persistence. For physical movement, race after suggests greater urgency and speed.

What Is a Softer Alternative to Chase?

Seek, aim for, work toward, and aspire to can soften the idea of pursuit.

For example, “seeking recognition” sounds less aggressive than “chasing recognition.”

What Is Another Word for Chasing a Dream?

Good alternatives include pursuing a dream, working toward a dream, striving for a goal, following an ambition, and aspiring to achieve something.

“Pursuing a dream” is usually the most direct replacement.

Is Follow a Synonym for Chase?

Sometimes, but not always. “Follow” simply means moving behind someone or something, whereas “chase” usually adds the intention of catching, reaching, or obtaining the target.

Is Track the Same as Chase?

No. “Track” means following the location, movements, signs, or progress of a target. Tracking may be part of a chase, but it can happen without active pursuit.

What Is the Opposite of Chase?

For physical pursuit, useful opposites include flee, evade, and escape. For figurative goals, abandon, relinquish, avoid, or withdraw from may express the opposite idea.

Conclusion

The strongest Synonyms for Chase depend on the type of pursuit being described. Pursue is the broadest close alternative and works for suspects, careers, goals, and opportunities. Follow, trail, run after, and race after fit physical movement, while track and hunt emphasize locating a target. For ambitions, strive for, aim for, work toward, and aspire to often provide greater precision. Competitive situations may call for vie for, contend for, or compete for, while court works when the goal is gaining support, attention, investors, or customers.

The key distinction is purpose: following, searching, competing, achieving, and persuading are different kinds of pursuit. Choosing a synonym that reflects that exact relationship makes the sentence clearer and prevents related words from being treated as interchangeable when they are not.