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Covet vs Pursue - What's the difference?

covet | pursue |

In transitive terms the difference between covet and pursue

is that covet is to long for inordinately or unlawfully; to hanker after (something forbidden) while pursue is to participate in (an activity, business etc.); to practise, follow (a profession).

covet

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • To wish for with eagerness; to desire possession of, often enviously.
  • To long for inordinately or unlawfully; to hanker after (something forbidden).
  • To yearn, have or indulge inordinate desire, notably for another's possession.
  • Derived terms

    * covetable * coveter * covetingly * covetous * covetousness

    pursue

    English

    Verb

    (pursu)
  • (obsolete) To follow with harmful intent; to try to harm, to persecute, torment.
  • To follow urgently, originally with intent to capture or harm; to chase.
  • * Wyclif Bible, John xv. 20
  • The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have pursued' me, they shall ' pursue you also.
  • * 2009 , Martin Chulov, ‘Iraqi shoe-thrower claims he suffered torture in jail’, The Guardian , 15 Sep 09:
  • He now feared for his life, and believed US intelligence agents would pursue him.
  • To follow, travel down (a particular way, course of action etc.).
  • Her rival pursued a quite different course.
  • To aim for, go after (a specified objective, situation etc.).
  • * 2009 , Benjamin Pogrund, ‘Freeze won't hurt Netanyahu’, The Guardian , 1 Dec 09:
  • He even stands to gain in world terms: his noisy critics strengthen his projected image of a man determined to pursue peace with Palestinians.
  • To participate in (an activity, business etc.); to practise, follow (a profession).
  • See also

    * follow * chase