Synonyms of traffic

traffic 1 of 2

noun

ˈtra-fik 

as in commerce

the buying and selling of goods especially on a large scale and between different places

they contributed money to an environmental group that works to end the traffic of endangered animals

Synonyms & Similar Words

• commerce
• marketplace
• trade
• business
• dealings
• free trade
• black market
• gray market
• merchandising
• retailing
• horse-trading
• wholesaling
• bartering
• e-tail

traffic

2 of 2

verb

as in to trade

to carry on the business of buying and selling goods or other property

arrested him for trafficking in drugs

Synonyms & Similar Words

• trade
• deal
• negotiate
• sell
• smuggle
• merchandise
• exchange
• market
• retail
• transact
• purchase
• bargain
• supply
• wholesale
• swap
• buy
• auction
• merchandize
• barter
• fence
• horse-trade
• resell
• peddle
• distribute
• invest
• vend
• corner
• take
• monopolize
• pick up
• bootleg
• black-market
• speculate
• engross
• undersell
• rebuy
• day-trade
• fair-trade

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• boycott
• black
• blackball

Synonym Chooser

How is the word traffic distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of traffic are business, commerce, industry, and trade. While all these words mean "activity concerned with the supplying and distribution of commodities," traffic applies to the operation and functioning of public carriers of goods and persons.

Where would business be a reasonable alternative to traffic?

While the synonyms business and traffic 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 are the words commerce and trade related as synonyms of traffic?

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

When would industry be a good substitute for traffic?

The words industry and traffic are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, industry applies to the producing of commodities, especially by manufacturing or processing, usually on a large scale.

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of traffic

Noun

Especially in people with such disorders, bright LEDs can contribute to eye pain and traffic accidents when driving at night. —Matt Fuchs, Time, 4 Aug. 2025

Past Incidents in the last 12 hours: There were no traffic incidents reported in this area for the past 12 hours. —Kansas City Star, 4 Aug. 2025

Verb

Investigators continued building a case that ultimately implicated the 24-year-old driver and a second man, 25, both now accused of trafficking the minors. —Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 18 July 2025

The law also makes permanent mandatory minimum penalties of five years in prison for trafficking 10 grams of fentanyl and 10 years for 100 grams. —Bart Jansen, USA Today, 17 July 2025