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

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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

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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 Latency becomes the new battleground The researchers say accesses that would normally leave a rack and travel through a conventional network could instead follow a more predictable path. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2026 Here comes Producers365 that will help support them in a community of people who know the path. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026 The other path was subjected to magnetic pulses pushing the atoms upwards. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2026 Business development becomes stronger when several independent paths can produce growth. — Brian Ferdinand, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 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
  • That could offer shipowners another route toward lower fuel use and emissions.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Avelo Airlines is extending its flight schedule at Concord-Padgett Regional Airport after announcing five new routes this year.
    — DJ Simmons, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of route
Noun
  • During the Covid pandemic, the staff voluntarily used their fallow time to repair some of the old pilgrim trails winding through the forest behind.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Tom Marchitelli blazed a unique trail in his rise to suiting mostly NFL superstars as a founder, designer and stylist for custom menswear brand Gentleman’s Playbook.
    — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of trail
Noun
  • Tariffs on cement, road salt and hospital pads were removed and replaced with duties on all-terrain vehicles, some cheeses and motorboats.
    — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Some might be taken on the road and featured in live appearances, or at least have their stories recorded and included in campaign ads.
    — Cal Thomas, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of road
Noun
  • While spoken language might benefit us in myriad ways, no single activity requires it, let alone explains what triggered its ongoing evolution over tens to hundreds of thousands of years.
    — Mike McRae September 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
  • For nearly two additional years, all the way to a six-hour cut of the movie that went deep on Musk’s 2025 DOGE era and his SpaceX IPO plate-spin this summer.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of way
Noun
  • Four years ago, however, Paul Dolan struck an agreement with David Blitzer to become a minority owner with a pathway for Blitzer to eventually assume controlling interest.
    — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The defections followed the PGA’s decision to offer a small number of players who had left for LIV a pathway to return to playing in PGA events.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of pathway
Noun
  • From there, researchers also used synchrotron radiation and other microscopy approaches to analyze the healing tissues on a cellular level.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Crews fighting the fire took an innovative approach Monday, using ground vehicles to apply a fire retardant typically dropped from airplanes, according to a post on the forest service’s Facebook page.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of approach
Noun
  • The president is sitting on more than $400 million that could shape the election’s trajectory.
    — Steven Sloan, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Siby was 36 at the time, and the tragedy sent his life on a new trajectory.
    — Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of trajectory
Noun
  • But this one swept through Bright Angel Canyon, the site of one of the few footpaths that lead up the Gran Canyon’s North Rim.
    — Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Take the paved footpath behind Zori past olive groves to reach the ACI Marina, its restaurants and the taxi boats that take you to Hvar Town and the notoriously hedonistic beach club, Carpe Diem, on the neighboring island of Marinkovac.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of footpath

Phrases Containing path

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pates
path
pathbreaking
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Cite this Entry

“Path.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/path. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on path

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about path

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