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
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
Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
One of the most enduring of those remnants is the Ice Age Trail—a 1,200-mile route that traces the path of the last continental glacier and highlights Wisconsin’s most scenic terrain.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 22 Sep. 2025
Julie Harans, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Sep. 2025
The bacteria that causes the disease, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, has haunted humanity for millennia, with traces found in Egyptian mummies.
—CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trace
Verb
To some degree, the outpouring on the streets of Nepal last week can be traced to the disappointments that followed him.
—Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
One of the most enduring of those remnants is the Ice Age Trail—a 1,200-mile route that traces the path of the last continental glacier and highlights Wisconsin’s most scenic terrain.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 22 Sep. 2025
Noun
Start by drying with an absorbent dishcloth, then set the cast-iron skillet on the stovetop over low heat for a few minutes until there’s no trace of moisture.
—Julie Harans, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Sep. 2025
The bacteria that causes the disease, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, has haunted humanity for millennia, with traces found in Egyptian mummies.
—CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trace
Verb
-
My vision is not only to make products but to create, co-own and empower a portfolio of category-defining beauty wellness successes.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Many define empathy differently or fail to define it at all; others fail to use control groups, do not report effect sizes, or contain other errors and omissions that make the studies difficult to compare.—
Rachel Pearson,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Police tracked Travis Decker's truck and learned the vehicle had traveled west on Highway 2 from Wenatchee on May 30.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Its millimeter wave radar detects and tracks targets through weather.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Fighting altitude sickness, sunburn, rain and hail, Cai and his fireworks team spent more than a week setting up the explosion trails — aided by drones that ran uphill 600-plus times, waterproof firework pots were placed at various points along the 3,000-meter pathway.—
Denni Hu,
Footwear News,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Poore pivoted to other ventures to make ends meet after the storm struck, including trail clearing, trail education and intensive workshops on trail maintenance.—
Graham Hurley,
CNN Money,
21 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Following a 12-game non-conference slate, highlighted by home bouts with Utah State and Davidson, as well as road clashes with Virginia Tech and Appalachian State, the 49ers tip off what hopes to be a bounce-back year in conference play — starting on New Year’s Eve.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Drivers should be prepared for changing conditions that include snow and icy roads.—
Michael Salerno,
AZCentral.com,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The city of Miami is on the verge of settling a court fight over a jumbo digital billboard looming over the downtown waterfront, potentially easing the path for similar advertising structures to go up nearby.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
24 Sep. 2025
-
His path was enriched by mentorship and lessons, including advice from NBA superstars LeBron James and Chris Paul during elite summer camps in college.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Even routine activities can reveal these relics.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Far from being a survivalist relic, modern foraging blends sustainability and a little bit of adventure.—
Tiffany Acosta,
AZCentral.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The cowboy beans are as good as any in Texas, enrobed in a rich broth brimming with smoky beef shreds, and they’re definitely not burnt.—
Robert F. Moss,
Southern Living,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Its juicy pork filling is supplemented by lightly sweet vermicelli noodles and crunchy carrot shreds.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Then, during one or two moments of lightly overstepping the limit of grip, the S5’s good chassis communication enabled easy correction via a hint of counter-steer.—
Peter Nelson,
Forbes.com,
20 Sep. 2025
-
This year, the popular coffee chain is offering Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso, which combines its blonde espresso with hints of apple, cinnamon, and brown sugar, all shaken together and topped with oatmilk.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Trace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trace. Accessed 27 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share