1
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
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2
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
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of trail
Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 29 Jan. 2026
For more insider tips on Southern California’s beaches, trails and parks, check out past editions of The Wild.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
Jaden Matthews-Thomas finished with 14 points and Drew Lundberg added 12 for the Blackhawks (15-11, 9-1), who trailed by seven points in the third quarter after beating the Royals by 18 earlier in the season.
—Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for trail
Noun
The paved trail twists up the slope in a series of curves.
—Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 29 Jan. 2026
For more insider tips on Southern California’s beaches, trails and parks, check out past editions of The Wild.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
Pritchard scored 15 points in the first half on 7-of-10 shooting, and the Celtics didn't trail again after Brown hit a tying 3-pointer and scored again from long range midway through the first quarter.
—CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
Jaden Matthews-Thomas finished with 14 points and Drew Lundberg added 12 for the Blackhawks (15-11, 9-1), who trailed by seven points in the third quarter after beating the Royals by 18 earlier in the season.
—Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for trail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trail
Noun
-
Investing in domestic mining is necessary but insufficient—recycling infrastructure offers a faster, less geopolitically fraught path to supply chain resilience that has historically been overlooked by previous administrations.—
Kristen Edgreen Kaufman,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The Buddhist temple was directly in the path of the project, threatening its displacement.—
Jessica Alvarado Gamez,
Denver Post,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Kristi Noem may have to fall on her sword, but a major reset of how ICE operations in Minneapolis are conducted is the best way to get the country back on track in terms of enforcing immigration law.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Fans were spoiled with 12 tracks of retro-inspired, plushy pop — and as the rollout suggested, the tracks painted a greater picture of Carpenter’s arduous dating experience, brought to life with production and writing support from acclaimed collaborators Jack Antonoff, John Ryan and Amy Allen.—
Meghan Mahar,
Billboard,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But then Linda goes chasing a wild boar through the jungle while toting a bamboo spear, and impales it to death in a gleefully gratuitous scene of CGI gore.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The provincial chief minister, Sarfraz Bugti, wrote on X that security forces were chasing the insurgents.—
Abdul Sattar,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Take footpaths toward the beach or stroll cobblestone streets in town for dining and shopping.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
15 Jan. 2026
-
No hills means there is no natural grade separation between the railroad and intersecting roads and footpaths.—
Ian Savage,
The Conversation,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
However, South Africa’s history was wrought with geological conflict as erupting volcanoes destroyed traces of preexisting dinosaurs while those beasts were still alive.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Feb. 2026
-
One week later, the aerial search was suspended without finding any trace of the missing duo.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Coleman declined to pursue the case, a police report said.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
International students are increasingly looking to other counties to pursue graduate education.—
Michael T. Nietzel,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Doctors started prescribing other opioids for postpartum pain, such as hydromorphone and oxycodone, whose metabolic pathways are more predictable and less subject to genetic variations.—
Ben Taub,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
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To help keep your home's entryway clean and make getting in and out of the house easier on severe weather days, both Cuoco and Sons recommend creating pathways in slippery, high-traffic areas by using stepping stones, gravel, mulch, or even pavement if possible.—
Nishaa Sharma,
The Spruce,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Reducing volume for volume’s sake could lower the sector’s digital footprint.—
Shain Shapiro,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Amazon, headquartered in Seattle and Arlington, Virginia, has a huge operational footprint in the Treasure Valley, including three fulfillment centers, three delivery stations and a Whole Foods Market.—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Trail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trail. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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