1
as in to define
to draw or make apparent the outline of
trace your hand onto this piece of paper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to track
to go after or on the track of
police traced the burglar back to his apartment, where they discovered a ton of stolen loot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in trail
a mark or series of marks left on a surface by something that has passed along it
the wolf came and went without leaving a trace on the hard, dry ground
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in road
a passage cleared for public vehicular travel
an old trace that dates back to the days of the covered wagon
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in path
a rough course or way formed by or as if by repeated footsteps
stay on the trace, or you'll get lost in these thick woods
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in relic
a tiny often physical indication of something lost or vanished
a ship that appears to have vanished without a trace on the high seas
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in shred
a very small amount
doctors detected only a trace of bacteria in the blood sample but put the patient on antibiotics just in case
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in hint
an almost imperceptible sign of something
there didn't seem to be so much as a trace of the truth to anything he said
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of trace
Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
The number that originally called in the situation was traced back to a Google Voice number, ultimately leading to a dead end.
—Sara Belcher, People.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 17 Apr. 2025
Police later found the vehicle abandoned with no trace of Sullivan.
—Kirsty Hatcher, People.com, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trace
Verb
This discourages unauthorized distribution and ensures that any leaks can be traced back to the source.
—Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
The number that originally called in the situation was traced back to a Google Voice number, ultimately leading to a dead end.
—Sara Belcher, People.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Noun
The biosignature contains what appears to be traces of one or two chemicals that, on Earth, are only produced by living microorganisms, such as marine phytoplankton.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 17 Apr. 2025
Police later found the vehicle abandoned with no trace of Sullivan.
—Kirsty Hatcher, People.com, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trace
Verb
-
Non-discrimination practices were defined as interventions like diversity training.—
Janice Gassam Asare,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
-
And what will define a successful correspondents' dinner for the Hilton?—
Major Garrett,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The Trump administration’s refusal to criticize Putin may well owe to its hopes to emulate him, much as Putin’s rehabilitation of Stalin’s legacy tracked with policies that duplicated the Soviet dictator’s.—
Garry Kasparov,
The Atlantic,
17 Apr. 2025
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And for those of us who’ve tracked the snack wrap moment from the first wave of comments to the official return, that’s the story: how a wrap turned into a movement, a meme, and now—finally—a menu item again.—
Stephanie Gravalese,
Forbes.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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And discussions are still underway for how a trail could be safely separated from the tracks.—
Jessica Garrison,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Key to her rescue was a smelly T-shirt worn by her owner in 12-hour shifts that was ripped up and used as a scent trail to attract her to an enclosure, Kangala directors Jared and Lisa Karran said in a video posted to Facebook.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The Illinois Department of Transportation owns the road and any changes would require its approval.—
Hank Beckman,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2025
-
For instance, Pakistan has been active in China’s signature belt and road initiative which involves the construction of multi-billion dollar infrastructure projects across countries.—
Amala Balakrishner,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
While inflation cooled in March, reaching a six-month low, the path has been uneven, and Powell has faced criticism from both the left and the right over whether the Fed acted too slowly—or too aggressively.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
17 Apr. 2025
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They are already scheduled to appear before the board on June 13 as part of a comprehensive risk assessment report ordered by Newsom, who is considering the brothers’ clemency request – a separate potential path out of prison.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Perched on the edge of a cliff in Cundinamarca, Colombia, the Hotel Del Salto is a relic of the opulence and horrors of colonialism.—
Josh Rivera,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2025
-
The current tariff gap is a relic of that old trade regime.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Cover and cook until roast is tender and shreds easily, about 5 hours on HIGH or 8 hours on LOW.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
8 Apr. 2025
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But Illinois lawmakers have yet to provide one shred of evidence that any individual’s benefits fall afoul of the IRS rules.—
Ted Dabrowski,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Looking for Saturday’s Wordle hints, clues and answer?—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
-
Be warned: This article includes hints and comments that may contain spoilers for today’s puzzle.—
New York Times Games,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Trace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trace. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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