T-RAIL Synonyms: 87 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'trail' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of trail are chase , follow , and pursue . While all these words mean "to go after or on the track of something or someone," trail may stress a following of tracks or traces rather than a visible object. // trail deer // trailed a suspect across the country

Q: When would 'chase' be a good substitute for 'trail'?

While in some cases nearly identical to trail , chase implies going swiftly after and trying to overtake something fleeing or running. // a dog chasing a cat

Q: When is it sensible to use 'follow' instead of 'trail'?

The meanings of follow and trail largely overlap; however, follow puts less emphasis upon speed or intent to overtake. // friends followed me home in their car

Q: Where would 'pursue' be a reasonable alternative to 'trail'?

The words pursue and trail can be used in similar contexts, but pursue suggests a continuing effort to overtake, reach, or attain. // pursued the criminal through narrow streets

trail 1 of 2

noun

Definition of trail

as in path

a rough course or way formed by or as if by repeated footsteps took a trail through the woods to get to the main road

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in track

a mark or series of marks left on a surface by something that has passed along it the slugs left a slimy trail on the sidewalk

Synonyms & Similar Words

trail

2 of 2

verb

ˈtrāl

as in to track

to go after or on the track of we trailed our friend into the woods, inadvertently spoiling his plans for a solitary hike

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word trail distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of trail are chase, follow, and pursue. While all these words mean "to go after or on the track of something or someone," trail may stress a following of tracks or traces rather than a visible object.

trail deer

trailed a suspect across the country

When would chase be a good substitute for trail?

While in some cases nearly identical to trail, chase implies going swiftly after and trying to overtake something fleeing or running.

a dog chasing a cat

When is it sensible to use follow instead of trail?

The meanings of follow and trail largely overlap; however, follow puts less emphasis upon speed or intent to overtake.

friends followed me home in their car

Where would pursue be a reasonable alternative to trail?

The words pursue and trail can be used in similar contexts, but pursue suggests a continuing effort to overtake, reach, or attain.

pursued the criminal through narrow streets

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 trail

Noun

Visitors can explore a network of scenic loop trails that wind through salt marshes and mangrove habitats, or opt for shorter, accessible paths with sweeping views over the Indian River Lagoon. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026 On a much quieter note, poet Idra Novey took us on a dreamy ramble down memory lane and along the Appalachian hiking trails of her childhood in Pennsylvania’s Allegheny Highlands. — Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026

Verb

That trails State Street’s popular retail ETF known as the XRT, which is up 38% in that timeframe. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 2 July 2026 But Weiser, who was considered an underdog, even trailing by double digits in early polling this year, called Bennet a Washington insider who's out of touch with Coloradans. — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for trail

Recent Examples of Synonyms for trail

Noun

In the episode, Monsignor Sarno — who spent 40 years working with the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints — said canonization is meant to highlight an individual’s life path as an example for conscience in their specific circumstance.

— Vivian Wilson, Twin Cities, 8 July 2026
Germany, with its robust manufacturing economy, ramped up its defense spending with a clear path to reaching the 5% target.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 8 July 2026

Definition of path

Noun

This week, Madonna time travels back to the Eighties and dances the night away at a famous discotheque, R&B crooner Destin Conrad dives into reggae rhythms, and Rico Nasty teams back up with Kenneth Blume for a glittery new track.

— Rolling Stone, Rolling Stone, 3 July 2026
Fans were originally split along the side of the hotel and in a pavilion across the street, with several cops asking them to stay away from the streetcar tracks and to allow cars to pass.

— Julianna Mejia, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026

Definition of track

Noun

Foad adds that the idea of eliminating toxins comes from sweat washing away trace amounts of heavy metals from the skin, rather than flushing toxins from inside the body.

— Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 1 July 2026
When its inevitable end arrives, the sun’s core will exhaust the last traces of hydrogen fuel and kick off the first stellar death pangs.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 July 2026

Definition of trace

Verb

Exonerees in Georgia have a new pathway to obtain compensation from the state, which Pugh intends to pursue, but that process takes time.

— Taylor Croft, AJC.com, 6 July 2026
While the Supreme Court ruling focused specifically on cases in West Virginia and Idaho, it is expected to have far-reaching implications for those additional 25 states — and possibly more if other states pursue similar legislation.

— Lindsay Schnell, New York Times, 5 July 2026

Definition of pursue

Noun

The firm doesn’t shy away from offering realistic assessments, and if necessary, case-specific guidance and strategic preparation on realistic pathways.

— Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 7 July 2026
This framework draws directly from disciplines that exist in structured credit and asset-backed finance, where collateral quality, repayment visibility, legal enforceability and recovery pathways are evaluated before the transaction closes.

— Krutarth Shah, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of pathway

Noun

Its designs were suited to its urban New England market — three stories high with a narrow footprint.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
While cementing his handprints and footprints at the TCL Chinese Theatre last June, Bardem thanked his wife and children for standing by him throughout his career.

— Charlie Carballo, USA Today, 7 July 2026

Definition of footprint

Cite this Entry

Style

“Trail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trail. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of trail

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verb

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