INDUSTRIES Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'industry' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of industry are business , commerce , trade , and traffic . While all these words mean "activity concerned with the supplying and distribution of commodities," industry applies to the producing of commodities, especially by manufacturing or processing, usually on a large scale.

Q: When might 'business' be a better fit than 'industry'?

While the synonyms business and industry are close in meaning, business may be an inclusive term but specifically designates the activities of those engaged in the purchase or sale of commodities or in related financial transactions.

Q: How do 'commerce' and 'trade' relate to one another, in the sense of 'industry'?

Both commerce and trade imply the exchange and transportation of commodities.

Q: When could 'traffic' be used to replace 'industry'?

The meanings of traffic and industry largely overlap; however, traffic applies to the operation and functioning of public carriers of goods and persons.

industry

noun

ˈin-(ˌ)də-strē

Definition of industry next

as in effort

attentive and persistent effort he isn't the smartest kid in class, but he gets the best grades by determined industry

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How is the word industry distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of industry are business, commerce, trade, and traffic. While all these words mean "activity concerned with the supplying and distribution of commodities," industry applies to the producing of commodities, especially by manufacturing or processing, usually on a large scale.

When might business be a better fit than industry?

While the synonyms business and industry are close in meaning, business may be an inclusive term but specifically designates the activities of those engaged in the purchase or sale of commodities or in related financial transactions.

How do commerce and trade relate to one another, in the sense of industry?

Both commerce and trade imply the exchange and transportation of commodities.

When could traffic be used to replace industry?

The meanings of traffic and industry largely overlap; however, traffic applies to the operation and functioning of public carriers of goods and persons.

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of industry There have been general industry-wide aviation concerns that may have factored into the elevated safety risks. —

Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026 The company said these solutions contribute to greater process efficiency, consistency and quality, supporting denim manufacturers in addressing the current challenges of the industry. —

Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 23 Jan. 2026 Senate Bill 252 ultimately failed after lobbying from law enforcement and bail bonds industry groups. —

Keaton Ross, Oklahoma Watch, 23 Jan. 2026 His work in free counsel, policy forums, and industry classrooms reflects his view that housing law is the backbone of social stability. —

Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 23 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for industry

Recent Examples of Synonyms for industry

Noun

The victims, all elementary school students, got into difficulty in a frozen pond in Bonham, a city about 60 miles northeast of Dallas, triggering a desperate effort by their mother and a neighbor to save them, FOX 4 reported.

— Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026
The project also reflects Beijing’s broader effort to anchor long-term energy security with low-carbon baseload power.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 28 Jan. 2026