Quest vs. Pursuit — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 16, 2023
A Quest is a specific search or journey for a particular objective, while Pursuit denotes continuous chasing or seeking, often of a broader nature.
Difference Between Quest and Pursuit
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Quest often implies a sense of adventure or a journey undertaken for a specific goal. Pursuit, on the other hand, suggests a continuous effort or chase, which might be more abstract or generalized.
Quest carries a more narrative or storied connotation, often seen in literature or historical contexts. Pursuit can be more neutral, relating to any form of active seeking or following.
In a story, a hero might go on a Quest for a legendary artifact. Conversely, a scientist's Pursuit of knowledge doesn't necessarily mean a physical journey but a continuous effort in studying and researching.
Quest tends to be more finite, with a clear start and end. Once the object or goal of the Quest is achieved, it concludes. In contrast, Pursuit can be ongoing, often without a defined endpoint.
A Quest often involves challenges or obstacles that need to be overcome, making it more eventful. Pursuit, while it can have challenges, is more about the act of chasing or seeking itself.
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Comparison Chart
Connotation
Adventure or journey with a specific aim
Continuous effort or chase
Duration
Typically has a clear start and end
Can be ongoing, often without a defined end
Context
More narrative, often seen in stories
Broader, can be abstract or physical
Objective
Specific, such as an item or particular knowledge
Can be more general or varied
Implied Challenges
Often involves overcoming obstacles
Might not always have clear obstacles
Compare with Definitions
Quest
A long or arduous search for something.
The scientist's Quest for a cure was inspiring.
Pursuit
An endeavor to secure or attain; chase.
The detective's Pursuit of the truth led him down unexpected paths.
Quest
A quest is a journey toward a specific mission or a goal. The word serves as a plot device in mythology and fiction: a difficult journey towards a goal, often symbolic or allegorical.
Pursuit
The act of chasing or seeking.
The Pursuit of happiness is a universal goal.
Quest
The act or an instance of seeking or pursuing something; a search.
Pursuit
A hobby or activity one engages in regularly.
Bird-watching became his favorite Pursuit.
Quest
An expedition undertaken in medieval romance by a knight in order to perform a prescribed feat
The quest for the Holy Grail.
Pursuit
Continuous effort to attain something.
Her Pursuit of excellence set her apart in her field.
Quest
An inquest.
Pursuit
The process of trying to achieve a plan or activity over time.
His Pursuit of a medical degree was filled with challenges.
Quest
A jury appointed to take part in an inquest.
Pursuit
The act or an instance of chasing or pursuing
The pursuit of the suspect by the police.
Quest
To search for something
Quested for knowledge.
Pursuit
The act of striving to gain or accomplish something
The pursuit of wealth.
The pursuit of higher education.
Quest
To go on a quest.
Pursuit
An activity, such as a vocation or hobby, engaged in regularly.
Quest
To search for game or bay when sighting game, as a hound.
Pursuit
The act of pursuing.
Unremitting pursuit of wealth doesn't bring happiness, particularly if successful.
Quest
A journey or effort in pursuit of a goal (often lengthy, ambitious, or fervent); a mission.
Pursuit
A hobby or recreational activity, done regularly.
Quest
The act of seeking, or looking after anything; attempt to find or obtain; search; pursuit.
To rove in quest of game, of a lost child, of property, etc.
Pursuit
(cycle racing) A discipline in track cycling where two opposing teams start on opposite sides of the track and try to catch their opponents.
Quest
(obsolete) Request; desire; solicitation.
Pursuit
Prosecution
Quest
(obsolete) A group of people making search or inquiry.
Pursuit
The act of following or going after; esp., a following with haste, either for sport or in hostility; chase; prosecution; as, the pursuit of game; the pursuit of an enemy.
Weak we are, and can not shun pursuit.
Quest
(obsolete) Inquest; jury of inquest.
Pursuit
A following with a view to reach, accomplish, or obtain; endeavor to attain to or gain; as, the pursuit of knowledge; the pursuit of happiness or pleasure.
Quest
(education) A short test.
Pursuit
Course of business or occupation; continued employment with a view to same end; as, mercantile pursuits; a literary pursuit.
Quest
(intransitive) To seek or pursue a goal; to undertake a mission or job.
Pursuit
Prosecution.
That pursuit for tithes ought, and of ancient time did pertain to the spiritual court.
Quest
(transitive) To search for something; to seek.
Pursuit
The act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture;
The culprit started to run and the cop took off in pursuit
Quest
To locate and attach to a host animal.
Pursuit
A search for an alternative that meets cognitive criteria;
The pursuit of love
Life is more than the pursuance of fame
A quest for wealth
Quest
The act of seeking, or looking after anything; attempt to find or obtain; search; pursuit; as, to rove in quest of game, of a lost child, of property, etc.
Upon an hard adventure yet in quest.
Cease your quest of love.
There ended was his quest, there ceased his care.
Pursuit
A diversion that occupies one's time and thoughts (usually pleasantly);
Sailing is her favorite pastime
His main pastime is gambling
He counts reading among his interests
They criticized the boy for his limited pursuits
Quest
Request; desire; solicitation.
Gad not abroad at every quest and callOf an untrained hope or passion.
Quest
Those who make search or inquiry, taken collectively.
The senate hath sent about three several quests to search you out.
Quest
Inquest; jury of inquest.
What lawful quest have given their verdict ?
Quest
To search for; to examine.
Quest
To go on a quest; to make a search; to go in pursuit; to beg.
If his questing had been unsuccessful, he appeased the rage of hunger with some scraps of broken meat.
Quest
A search for an alternative that meets cognitive criteria;
The pursuit of love
Life is more than the pursuance of fame
A quest for wealth
Quest
The act of searching for something;
A quest for diamonds
Quest
Make a search (for);
Things that die with their eyes open and questing
The animal came questing through the forest
Quest
Search the trail of (game);
The dog went off and quested
Quest
Bark with prolonged noises, of dogs
Quest
Seek alms, as for religious purposes
Quest
Express the need or desire for; ask for;
She requested an extra bed in her room
She called for room service
Quest
A journey undertaken to find or obtain something.
The knight's Quest for the Holy Grail became legendary.
Quest
An adventurous expedition driven by a specific goal.
Her Quest to discover hidden treasures led her to ancient caves.
Quest
An endeavor to achieve something specific.
His Quest for perfection made him a master craftsman.
Quest
A mission driven by purpose or duty.
The superhero's Quest was to save the world from impending doom.
Common Curiosities
Can Pursuit be a hobby?
Yes, Pursuit can refer to a regular activity or hobby one engages in.
Does every Quest have a clear end?
Typically, a Quest has a defined objective, so it concludes once that's achieved. However, the end might not always be successful.
Is a Quest always physical?
No, while many Quests involve physical journeys, they can also be metaphorical or intellectual searches.
Can Pursuit mean a career or study?
Yes, one can be in the Pursuit of a career, study, or any long-term goal.
Is a Quest always adventurous?
While often associated with adventure, a Quest can also be a dedicated search without the adventurous element.
Which word is more specific, Quest or Pursuit?
Quest is more specific, often referring to a particular journey or goal.
Can a person's life goal be a Pursuit?
Absolutely, many refer to their life's passion or goal as their lifelong Pursuit.
Can Pursuit be used in legal contexts?
Yes, it can denote the act of pursuing legal action or justice.
Which term implies more challenges, Quest or Pursuit?
While both can have challenges, Quest often implies specific obstacles or trials to overcome.
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Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
