hunted

Hunted is the past participle of the verb hunt and is used as an adjective to describe someone or something pursued. In natural contexts, animals that have been pursued or killed by hunters or predators are described as hunted, and the term can apply to people who are being pursued, such as fugitives, targets, or soldiers in a combat scenario. The phrase often arises in discussions of survival, wildlife management, and law enforcement.

In literature and media, hunted or The Hunted has been used as a title or theme to convey pursuit and danger. The best-known example is The Hunted, a 2003 film. The word has also been used as the title of television programs and novels in various countries, frequently in crime, thriller, or reality-format contexts where participants or characters attempt to avoid capture by pursuers.

Etymology: The term hunt traces to Old English and other Germanic roots, with the past participle form hunted arising in standard English usage. As an adjective or noun, hunted describes the state of being pursued, and the concept appears across many contexts—myth, literary fiction, journalism, and everyday language—where pursuit and evasion are central themes.