path

noun

ˈpath How to pronounce path (audio)
Definition of pathnext
1
as in route
the direction along which something or someone moves try to stay out of the path of the golf balls while playing I tripped over a rock directly in my path

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in trail
a rough course or way formed by or as if by repeated footsteps a path worn through the library lawn by too many people walking over it

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in road
an established course for traveling from one place to another the path along which ancient traders traveled from Europe to China was known as the Silk Road

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 path That will be a moment that opens a new chapter on the path toward ending the war. — David Brennan, ABC News, 7 July 2026 In 2025, Whiteville broke ground on a downtown park that will include an amphitheater, walking path, and pond. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 July 2026 As per Linked In, the former soccer player at the University of Richmond ended up transferring to the University of Miami when a shoulder injury derailed her path in sports. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026 And although the path ahead finally looks clear, it’s proven to be anything but simple. — Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for path
Recent Examples of Synonyms for path
  1. route
  2. trail
  3. road
  4. way
  5. pathway
  6. approach
  7. trajectory
  8. footpath
Noun
  • Owners who live close to a quality shop, have open schedules and don’t mind handling drop-offs and pickups may find the traditional route just as effective at a lower price.
    — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
  • The Islamic Republic of Iran Railways said teams were working to repair the damage and restore the route, and that other arrangements are being made to transport passengers to Mashhad via road, IRIB said.
    — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 9 July 2026
Definition of route
Noun
  • Scouts report back, and the rest of the colony follows the trail to your table.
    — Sharon Wu, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of trail
Noun
  • The size of the frozen zone in which crews are working to stabilize a building in Midtown Manhattan was decreased late Tuesday, but some roads remain blocked.
    — Kelly McCleary, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
  • This can cause loss of control in extreme circumstances, especially when the road conditions aren’t prime.
    — Keith Laing, USA Today, 8 July 2026
Definition of road
Noun
  • Should the seafood-averse find their way through the door, look to an excellent roast chicken in ham jus, accompanied by a welcome splotch of mustard.
    — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • This one seems to wrap all the way around the entirety of his head, emitting light that’s supposed to be beneficial for his scalp and hair growth.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 9 July 2026
Definition of way
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
  • While some states allow residents to package sharps in secure containers and throw them away in household trash, Massachusetts takes a different approach.
    — Irina Butler, Boston Herald, 10 July 2026
  • The back-and-forth was a continuation of the approach Rutte, a seasoned diplomat known as a consensus builder during his nearly 14 years as Dutch prime minister, has taken since becoming NATO chief in late 2024.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 9 July 2026
Definition of approach
Noun
  • A lot of these athletes have had unexpected trajectories and remarkable biographies — even a surprising side hobby or two.
    — Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 6 July 2026
  • For pitchers bouncing between organizations, one rough outing can change the trajectory of an entire season, and that seems to have been the case with former Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Austin Voth.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of trajectory
Noun
  • According to the National Park Service, the footpaths through the forested ridgetops of Pennsylvania are among the most popular.
    — Idra Novey, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026
  • Meanwhile, my job is to stand guard on the other side of the footpath.
    — Esther Yi, New Yorker, 14 June 2026
Definition of footpath

Phrases Containing path

Browse Nearby Words

pates
path
pathbreaking
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Path.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/path. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on path

Nglish: Translation of path for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about path

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of xeric

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All