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trace

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noun

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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

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as in footstep
the mark or impression made by a foot followed the traces of the deer into the deep woods

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word trace distinct from other similar nouns?

The words track and vestige are common synonyms of trace. While all three words mean "a perceptible sign made by something that has passed," trace may suggest any line, mark, or discernible effect.

the killer left no traces

When could track be used to replace trace?

The synonyms track and trace are sometimes interchangeable, but track implies a continuous line that can be followed.

the fossilized tracks of dinosaurs

When might vestige be a better fit than trace?

The words vestige and trace can be used in similar contexts, but vestige applies to a tangible reminder such as a fragment or remnant of what is past and gone.

boulders that are vestiges of the last ice age

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 trace
Verb
Their genetic analysis linked 80 percent of his DNA to North Africa, while the remaining 20 percent traces to the Mesopotamian Fertile Crescent near present-day Iraq. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 July 2025 The researchers concluded that 80% of his genetic material came from ancient people in North Africa while 20% traced back to people in West Asia and the Mesopotamia region. Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 2 July 2025
Noun
On Tuesday, July 1, the NWS’ record-keeping station at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport recorded trace amounts of rainfall, which is any quantity below 0.01 inches. Brayden Garcia july 2, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2025 The site, which dates to around 4700 to 3700 B.C.E., also contains traces of a prehistoric settlement, per UNESCO. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for trace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trace
Verb
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defined a heat wave as a period of abnormally and uncomfortably hot and usually humid weather that lasts at least two days.
    Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
  • To define these guardrails, organizations should: • Implement reinforcement learning techniques with human feedback to continuously review and reward the LLMs for good behavior.
    Rakshana Balakrishnan, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • There are clear maps around dangerous rivers like the Guadalupe outlining where a flood like this will track, which areas will be underwater, and where the flood will reach first.
    Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 10 July 2025
  • As of July 8, Kansas City has seen 87 homicides, according to data tracked by The Star, which includes fatal police shootings.
    PJ Green July 10, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2025
Noun
  • The unspoiled nature and mountain views drew him in and between the hiking paths, equestrian trails, an overnight camping facility and 40 miles of class A trout streams there’s always something for the Orrs to get into.
    Mike Dojc, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
  • Tucked into Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (U.P. for short), this former logging community blends rich history with small-town appeal and unspoiled natural beauty, with easy access to forested trails, wildlife habitats, and quiet stretches of shoreline.
    Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2025
Noun
  • Strengthening infrastructure – Communities need to prioritize schools, hospitals, roads, bridges, dams, water supply, sewer, sanitation, power, cellular, internet service, etc.
    Louis Gritzo, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • Torrential rains caused travel delays throughout the city, flooding subways and roads and delaying flights at JFK, Laguardia and Newark airports.
    Brent Lang, Variety, 15 July 2025
Noun
  • This week’s visit to South Carolina proves that he’s headed down that path.
    Dan Walters, Mercury News, 10 July 2025
  • The best way to attract talent is by positioning customer service as a high-visibility path to marketing, product or sales.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Noun
  • The SaaS model, once revolutionary, is now a relic.
    Deepinder Singh Sethi, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • Her job was, in her estimation, a relic of a different time — the business no longer relies on broadcast network casting directors to discover talent through global searches and talent holding deals.
    Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • Zoé | 2024 | Canada | Rémi St-Michel | Midwest Premiere | The remaining shreds of Zoe’s mind desperately cling to her vague memories of better feelings.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 June 2025
  • To date, despite all these ideas, there hasn’t been a single shred of solid evidence for the existence of axions, which naturally drops them down a peg or two on the credibility scale.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • Here are some hints for today’s Quordle game, followed by the answers: What Are Today’s Quordle Hints?
    Kris Holt, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • Featuring a cool ranch flavor, with hints of garlic and onion.
    Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 8 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Trace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trace. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

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