1
as in marketplace
the buying and selling of goods especially on a large scale and between different places a government agency in charge of regulating interstate commerce

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in interaction
doings between individuals or groups when I was doing outside consulting for the company, I never had much commerce with the in-house staff

Synonyms & Similar Words

3

Synonym Chooser

How is the word commerce distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of commerce are business, industry, trade, and traffic. While all these words mean "activity concerned with the supplying and distribution of commodities," commerce and trade imply the exchange and transportation of commodities.

When might business be a better fit than commerce?

The meanings of business and commerce largely overlap; however, 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.

Where would industry be a reasonable alternative to commerce?

The words industry and commerce 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.

When would traffic be a good substitute for commerce?

The synonyms traffic and commerce are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 commerce The airport in Cap-Haïtien was calm and orderly, the streets were alive with daily commerce and children in bright yellow uniforms played together during recess. Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025 Weight loss drugs remain a luxury for a lot of Americans, according to Marty Bauer, director of ecommerce at online commerce platform Omnisend, so until there is a big drop in drug prices, the mass adoption needed to reshape the clothing industry is unlikely to happen. Kevin Williams, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025 Hayes previously pleaded guilty to knowingly and willfully transmitting in interstate commerce a communication containing a threat to injure the person of another, according to prosecutors. Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025 Google did not report paying the commerce council any money to lobby on its behalf to the California secretary of state. Calmatters, Mercury News, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for commerce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commerce
Noun
  • According to online marketplace Auto Trader, JLR took the top slot on its new car platform in August and is vying for a similar position in September with almost a million ad views in the two months.
    Benj Edwards, ArsTechnica, 16 Sep. 2025
  • The family festival and artisan faire celebrates German culture with live entertainment, including Bavarian music and dance troupes, German food, international refreshments, two beer gardens and a marketplace with 125 local artisan vendors.
    Linda Mcintosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Obsessed with the precious interaction, TikTok viewers felt the least bit surprised by the dad's reaction.
    Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Each of these brief interactions sparks a little joy during my weekend in Bentonville.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The State Department suspended processing applications from Americans seeking to update their passports with a new gender marker in January, shortly after President Trump signed an executive order proclaiming the U.S. recognizes only two unchangeable sexes, male and female.
    Brooke Migdon, The Hill, 5 Sep. 2025
  • President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January saying that the federal government will only recognize two sexes: male and female.
    Sonam Sheth Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • He was acquired, along with closer Victor Vodnik, in a July 2023 trade with the Braves for reliever Pierce Johnson.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 17 Sep. 2025
  • European businesses will be closely watching that meeting, as China is the EU’s second-largest goods partner with trade standing at $732 billion euros in 2024.
    Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In the early 1960s, NBC television sponsored a talent competition for young actors and actresses, and her talents were brought to the attention of the vice president of talent relations for NBC.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Deauville is one of the several festivals championed by Chanel, which is highly involved in the film world through diverse initiatives spearheaded by Elsa Heizmann, the global director of cinematic relations, and her right-hand-man Clement Geray.
    Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The designation reflects the deteriorating relations between the United States and one of its closest Latin American allies.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 16 Sep. 2025
  • In fact, Astorino said, developments in AI, policy, geopolitical relations and the economy are likely to accelerate both change and complexity.
    Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Indeed, social media platforms drive roughly 80% of total online traffic in the country and serve as vital channels for business and communication.
    Nir Kshetri, The Conversation, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Spend some time worrying about that thing that’s actually quite meaningless, getting mad at that person cutting me off in traffic?
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Records from a Title IX hearing that were included in the complaint show the university conducted an investigation and that a panel comprising faculty and staff members determined unanimously that nonconsensual intercourse took place.
    Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Painful intercourse is not a thing in your world.
    Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, Flow Space, 3 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Commerce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commerce. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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