1
as in to define
to draw or make apparent the outline of
trace your hand onto this piece of paper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to track
to go after or on the track of
police traced the burglar back to his apartment, where they discovered a ton of stolen loot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in trail
a mark or series of marks left on a surface by something that has passed along it
the wolf came and went without leaving a trace on the hard, dry ground
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in road
a passage cleared for public vehicular travel
an old trace that dates back to the days of the covered wagon
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in path
a rough course or way formed by or as if by repeated footsteps
stay on the trace, or you'll get lost in these thick woods
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in relic
a tiny often physical indication of something lost or vanished
a ship that appears to have vanished without a trace on the high seas
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in shred
a very small amount
doctors detected only a trace of bacteria in the blood sample but put the patient on antibiotics just in case
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in hint
an almost imperceptible sign of something
there didn't seem to be so much as a trace of the truth to anything he said
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of trace
Christina Ray Stanton, New York Daily News, 19 June 2026
Self-renewal in nature’s company has been a defining tenet of Atzaró Agroturismo Hotel’s ethos since the 300-year-old family finca–whose owners trace their lineage back to the Catalan conquest of the island in the early 1200s–opened in 2004 as one of Ibiza’s first five-star destinations.
—Alexandra Kirkman, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Around 100,000 people were thought to have been taken by the brutal Assad regime, disappearing without a trace.
—Sally Hayden, PEOPLE, 19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for trace
Verb
What followed became one of the most significant archaeological investigations of slavery in the United States, revealing evidence of extreme physical labor, malnutrition, high infant mortality, and shortened life expectancy among people whose origins traced to various regions in Africa.
—Christina Ray Stanton, New York Daily News, 19 June 2026
Self-renewal in nature’s company has been a defining tenet of Atzaró Agroturismo Hotel’s ethos since the 300-year-old family finca–whose owners trace their lineage back to the Catalan conquest of the island in the early 1200s–opened in 2004 as one of Ibiza’s first five-star destinations.
—Alexandra Kirkman, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Noun
Artah’s Cellular Hydration feels especially suited to Cannes, combining electrolytes, trace minerals and functional ingredients designed to support hydration, focus and energy — exactly the sort of quiet advantage that becomes increasingly valuable by the third consecutive day on the Croisette.
—Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Around 100,000 people were thought to have been taken by the brutal Assad regime, disappearing without a trace.
—Sally Hayden, PEOPLE, 19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for trace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trace
Verb
-
One of Wood’s earliest conversations with Reid centered on abandoning the heeled footwear that helped define earlier versions of the character.—
Precious Fondren,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
-
McTominay, whose iconic bicycle kick against Denmark was the defining goal of Scotland’s World Cup qualifying campaign, threatened multiple times past the 80th minute but couldn’t convert.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
The last goal will track a student’s social and emotional development.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2026
-
Those recommendations include developing stronger performance measures, improving data collection, tracking client outcomes more consistently and identifying which shelter programs are delivering the most effective results.—
Brady Halbleib,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
Noun
-
The yurt system is open year-round and is accessible by hiking trail in the summer and by skiing or snowshoeing in winter.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
18 June 2026
-
Additionally, please be mindful of trails that remain closed under the Eaton fire area closure order.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
There was another car on the opposite side of the road with major front-end damage.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
-
From California politics to safety concerns on Sacramento roads, here’s a quick digest of some of the top stories for June 23, 2026.—
Ruyuan Li. Summary produced by AI assistance,
Sacbee.com,
24 June 2026
Noun
-
There are dozens of examples of major studio properties that had what appeared to be an easy path to profitability.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
23 June 2026
-
That too many people pursue self-destructive paths for example.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
23 June 2026
Noun
-
Bulgur is one of those wheat variants that in this country seems tethered to an unfair reputation as a leaden relic of 1970s health-food fads.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
-
His remains were unearthed in 2022, along with 13 others, as archeologists were working to preserve shallow battlefield graves from erosion and relic hunters.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
Trump’s appreciation for and emulation of the histrionics of that sport have been much discussed over the years—recall how the late Hulk Hogan ripped his shirt to shreds at the 2024 Republican National Convention to reveal a TRUMP VANCE T-shirt underneath.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
15 June 2026
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The industry has been keeping a close eye on what Koosha and his producer Tom Rogers have been doing — namely, conjuring a movie out of thin air without a single shred of an actor, location, crew member or camera.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Just One is a cooperative word game where duplicate hints get eliminated.—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
23 June 2026
-
These flavors follow through on the palate with additional elements of savory sandstone, pomegranate, and a hint of salinity.—
Liz Thach,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Trace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trace. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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