Pursued for being modest, say (6)
I believe the answer is:
chased
'pursued' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'modest say' is the wordplay.
'modest' becomes 'chaste' (I've seen this in another clue).
'say' shows a homophone (sound like).
'chaste' is a homophone of 'CHASED'.
'for being' is the link.
(Other definitions for chased that I've seen before include "Pursued at speed" , "Decorated metal with engraved or embossed work" , "Hunted" , "Went after with the intent to catch" , "Wooed" .)