seeking pleasure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seeking pleasure" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a person who actively pursues activities that they find enjoyable. For example, "Bob spent his free time seeking pleasure, often going on exciting adventures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

For many, that means seeking pleasure in long, slow cooking.

The New York Times - Food

The only thing that's important to them is seeking pleasure".

The New York Times - Magazine

Better than Million pounds of human flesh seeking pleasure on beaches will pass thru.

The New Yorker

Amid all the choices, musicians proceed by instinct, seeking pleasure without many preconceptions.

The New York Times

The Chicago Herald depicted the millionaires as Roman aristocrats, seeking pleasure while the poor died like beasts in the Coliseum.

The New York Times

"People are now seeking pleasure, whether it is in the night clubs of Moscow or in restaurants.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Propertius makes it clear that, even when seeking pleasures apart from his mistress, he still loved her deeply, returning to her full of remorse, and happy when she reasserted her dominion over him.

Encyclopedia Britannica

With Mr. Kundera, Mr. Skvorecky shared a fascination with the private lives of people shadowed by the heavyhanded police state, seeking pleasures — whether those of friendship, music or sex — in an otherwise joyless political climate.

The New York Times - Arts

Hedonists seek pleasure.

The New Yorker

They explore more; they learn faster; they seek pleasure.

The New York Times - Magazine

5. Humans naturally seek pleasure and avoid pain.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with "avoiding pain" to mirror the classical Epicurean or Benthamite philosophical framework often found in academic writing.

Common error

Avoid using "seeking pleasure" immediately alongside terms like 'hedonistic' or 'epicurean' unless you are defining them. For example, writing 'hedonists who are seeking pleasure' is redundant because the definition of a hedonist is already someone who pursues pleasure. Opt for more descriptive phrasing instead.

Linguistic Context

This phrase acts as a participial phrase or gerund phrase depending on its syntactic position. According to Ludwig AI, it is frequently used to describe a continuous action or a state of being motivated by enjoyment. It often functions as a subject or an object in a sentence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "seeking pleasure" is a highly versatile and correct phrase used to describe the active pursuit of enjoyable experiences. Ludwig AI highlights its widespread use across diverse domains, from lifestyle articles in The New York Times to complex philosophical entries in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. It effectively captures a broad spectrum of human behavior, whether it refers to simple leisure or deep-seated psychological motivations. Writers can use it confidently in almost any context to describe the hunt for gratification or delight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pursuing enjoyment

More formal and broader in scope than sensory pleasure

looking for gratification

Focuses on the psychological reward or fulfillment of a desire

seeking satisfaction

Focuses on reaching a state of adequacy or contentment

chasing thrills

Implies a search for high-intensity or risky excitement

searching for delight

More literary and suggests a more refined or aesthetic experience

courting joy

Uses a more elegant verb to describe a gentle pursuit of happiness

pursuing hedonism

Explicitly links the search to the philosophical doctrine of pleasure

craving amusement

Suggests a stronger internal need for entertainment

seeking entertainment

More specific to leisure activities and passive enjoyment

hunting for kicks

Informal or slang-adjacent version focusing on temporary excitement

FAQs

How do I use "seeking pleasure" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a motivation, such as: "The travelers were merely "seeking pleasure" in the vibrant city streets."

What can I say instead of "seeking pleasure"?

Depending on the tone, you could use "pursuing enjoyment", "looking for gratification", or "chasing thrills".

Is "seeking pleasure" a formal phrase?

Yes, it is suitable for formal and academic contexts. Ludwig shows its use in publications like The New Yorker and various scientific journals.

What is the difference between "seeking pleasure" and "pursuing happiness"?

While "seeking pleasure" often refers to immediate sensory or emotional gratification, "pursuing happiness" typically implies a broader, more long-term state of well-being.