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 But there still have to be some concerns that, as fewer TV shows are being produced and the ones that are produced have shorter episode counts, the industry is becoming more star-dependent. —

Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2026 While jobs in education and health services, along with manufacturing, increased in the past year, all other major industry sectors shed jobs. —

Jim Turner, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026 That raised concerns about layoffs in an industry that has sustained significant downsizing in recent years as viewers and advertisers migrate to streaming options and social media platforms like TikTok. —

Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026 High gas prices impact industries Grocery prices could spike because of rising transportation costs. —

Tara Lynch, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for industry

Recent Examples of Synonyms for industry

Noun

Castle Rock offered grants to support efforts to commemorate the 150th anniversary.

— Olivia Young, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
Each product is designed to work synergistically, delivering visible results with minimal effort, no guesswork involved.

— Tory Johnson, ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026