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Pursue vs Convince - What's the difference?

pursue | convince |

In obsolete transitive terms the difference between pursue and convince

is that pursue is to follow with harmful intent; to try to harm, to persecute, torment while convince is to prove guilty; to convict.

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

    convince

    English

    Verb

    (convinc)
  • To make someone believe, or feel sure about something, especially by using logic, argument or evidence.
  • * Atterbury
  • Such convincing proofs and assurances of it as might enable them to convince others.
  • To persuade.
  • (obsolete) To overcome, conquer, vanquish.
  • * Shakespeare
  • His two chamberlains / Will I with wine and wassail so convince / That memory, the warder of the brain, / Shall be a fume.
  • (obsolete) To confute; to prove wrong.
  • * Francis Bacon
  • God never wrought miracle to convince' atheism, because his ordinary works ' convince it.
  • (obsolete) To prove guilty; to convict.
  • * Bible, John viii. 46
  • Which of you convinceth me of sin?
  • * Dryden
  • Seek not to convince me of a crime / Which I can ne'er repent, nor you can pardon.

    Synonyms

    * persuade * satisfy * assure * convert * win over