INDUSTRY 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 The ruling is a small but necessary step toward achieving a balanced and competitive ticketing industry, said Hal Singer, a managing director of economic consulting firm Econ One, who specializes in antitrust and consumer protection issues. —

Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026 Not only did the economy get bigger due to growing steel, railroad and oil industries, but American consumers changed as well, Chambers said. —

Alexander Coolidge, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026 But following relentless restaurant industry lobbying, aldermen sharply changed their tunes last month when a City Council majority voted 30-18 to freeze One Fair Wage. —

Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026 But in the face of rising health care costs and the industry contraction, that system is being significantly curtailed. —

Gene Maddaus, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for industry

Recent Examples of Synonyms for industry

Noun

Skills save you the time and effort of entering the same instructions into the AI chatbot on different pages.

— Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 15 Apr. 2026
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed veteran politician Roelf Meyer as the country's ambassador to the United States in a move widely seen as an effort to ease diplomatic tensions between the two nations.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026