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
Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 29 Apr. 2025
Her installation of long, wide sheets of light-sensitive film, draped from the ceiling and eventually bearing traces of sunlight and heat, was one of the highlights of last year’s Whitney Biennial, part of her ongoing investigations into impermanence, inheritance, memory, and time.
—Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 29 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
Typically, traces of THC will remain in your saliva for up to 24 hours.
—Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 29 Apr. 2025
Her installation of long, wide sheets of light-sensitive film, draped from the ceiling and eventually bearing traces of sunlight and heat, was one of the highlights of last year’s Whitney Biennial, part of her ongoing investigations into impermanence, inheritance, memory, and time.
—Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trace
Verb
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And what will define a successful correspondents' dinner for the Hilton?—
Major Garrett,
CBS News,
26 Apr. 2025
-
So, how exactly do brands arrive at the perfect shade to define the year ahead?—
Kristina McGuirk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This data tracks with broader industry trends According to the National Restaurant Association, just 18% of restaurant operators reported higher same-store sales in February 2025 compared to the previous year — down sharply from 51% in January.—
Catherine Baab,
Quartz,
29 Apr. 2025
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The mixing and matching will be tracked in camp, but one possible outcome is Wright on the left side and Trapilo on the right.—
Kevin Fishbain,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
-
There are at least some echoes of the ultra-hyper violent God of War, the famed video game series, and that is getting a live-action adaptation on Amazon Prime Video down the road.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
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Armed with a clear shot of the getaway car’s license plate, authorities found the Ford Escape two days later, set ablaze on the side of a road in Palmdale.—
Matthew Ormseth,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2025
Noun
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The advancements in hair restoration and the increasing acceptance of cosmetic procedures for all offer a path for men to take control of their appearance and well-being, with none of the shame of yesterday.—
Rhiannon Frater,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2025
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If your career background will help guide and inform a high school grad following a similar path, offering mentorship and sharing advice and wisdom is invaluable, according to Forge.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In evolutionary terms, Vasuki is a relic from a vanished world — a creature forged in solitude and set loose by tectonic chaos.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
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Holly Messinger, the textiles conservator at The Arabia Steamboat Museum, carefully laid out the pieces of a frock coat, an 1850’s relic recovered from the bottom of the Missouri River.—
Tammy Ljungblad,
Kansas City Star,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Miss Manners can promise you that there will not be a shred of curiosity left in those formerly nosy questioners.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
21 Apr. 2025
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Every scene is a joy because every performance is perfectly pitched, and there’s not a shred of fat on Deborah Moggach’s screenplay (which received an uncredited development assist from Emma Thompson).—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Looking for Saturday’s Wordle hints, clues and answer?—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
27 Apr. 2025
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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 10 May. 2025.
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