trace 1 of 2

Definition of tracenext

trace

2 of 2

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

7
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
Generative AI can now trace emissions, track supply chains and measure impact in real time. Sanda Ojiambo, Fortune, 11 Nov. 2025 The show has a harder time tracing the arc of Guiteau, a man who, sensing that acclaim won’t be attainable, is happy enough to settle for notoriety. Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 11 Nov. 2025
Noun
However, there are a few mountain ranges where trace deposits can be found, including in Shafter, Quitman, Allamoore and Van Horn, according to the association. Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2025 Colleges, employers and even peers can access public digital traces. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for trace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trace
Verb
  • Millennials, typically defined as individuals born between the early 1980s and the mid-1990s, are now at a point in their lives where their generational nostalgia is front and center.
    Saba Hamedy, NBC news, 7 Nov. 2025
  • The next two years will test how well Republicans can walk that line, using Mamdani to define the left without letting Newsom define himself.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • This is the lowest approval rating the president has received since the pollster began tracking last month, and the highest disapproval rating.
    Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Taking a glance at global markets overnight, Asia-Pacific markets rose, tracking Wall Street gains after AMD’s third-quarter earnings beat lifted artificial intelligence stocks.
    Chloe Taylor,Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • In an effort to make that happen, officials with the city of Little Rock presented a plan for the portion of the trail at the Dillard's headquarters on Thursday at an open forum meeting at the Dunbar Community Center, inspiring hope in some cyclists and advocates.
    Amir Mahmoud, Arkansas Online, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Lynch, the Rivian engineer, said outdoorsy types can feel confident taking their R1S or R1T Quads with them on the trails or national parks.
    Morgan Korn, ABC News, 9 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Running Fence was envisioned as a fabric-laden fence that would traverse Sonoma and Marin counties in Northern California to the sea, crossing roads, highways, and private property.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
  • If there is no parking lot or driveway to pull into, pull your vehicle off to the side of the road as far as possible.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Vietnamese authorities have ordered mass evacuations from low-lying coastal areas in the path of Typhoon Kalmaegi, the 13th to hit Vietnam this year.
    Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • There is no official agreement, internal or otherwise, and Republicans and Democrats Wednesday sounded no closer to a path forward.
    Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Maybe ‘Bazball’ can learn a thing or two from this old-fashioned bowling relic.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
  • In an era when attentive service often feels like a relic — perhaps another quiet casualty of the pandemic — this kind of efficiency now registers as something close to remarkable.
    Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • My search proved fruitful, so below you’ll find my top picks, including an air fryer that saves counterspace, a set of six dishcloths for $24, and a chopping gadget that also slices, grates, and shreds.
    Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 27 Dec. 2025
  • Shred It For Packaging Turn used wrapping paper into pretty paper shreds for future gifts.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 25 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • Players can provide hints or hold fast but will end up pissing the duo off either way.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 7 Nov. 2025
  • This burgundy option brings a hint of holiday cheer while looking sophisticated.
    Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Trace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trace. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on trace

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