1
as in outlines
to draw or make apparent the outline of
trace your hand onto this piece of paper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in tracks
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 trails
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 streets
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 paths
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 relics
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 glimmers
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 hints
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 footsteps
the mark or impression made by a foot
followed the traces of the deer into the deep woods
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of traces
Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 13 Feb. 2026
Shot in high-contrast black and white with obsessive attention to design, the film traces the unavoidable costs imposed on a family for the fleeting brush with artistic transcendence, however sporadic.
—Ben Croll, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026
Inspired by Elizabeth Beller’s biography, Love Story traces the couple’s romance and the tragedy that followed.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 12 Feb. 2026
The limited drama series traces the events that led Kaepernick to play professional football and later stand up for racial justice and equality.
—Ilana Gordon, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Feb. 2026
The lineage of her home party, Fratelli d’Italia, or Brothers of Italy, traces back to the rump of Mussolini’s fascists.
—Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2026
Biological computing, as an idea, traces back to the 1940s and 1950s.
—Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
The debt traces back to a contract signed roughly 25 years ago, when Diablo Grande was planned as a large residential development with thousands of homes.
—Nina Burns, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
The blurred surge, of course, traces back to K-beauty, where this finish has been popular for years.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 6 Feb. 2026
Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 19 Feb. 2026
The following day, Nanos confirmed that her disappearance was being investigated as a crime and revealed that traces of Nancy's blood had been discovered on her porch.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Feb. 2026
Midway through his presidency in 1985, after doctors discovered a benign polyp and traces of blood during routine tests, Reagan was advised to avoid rare steak and other red meats.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Thanks to Michael Kor,s traces of her signature style remain iconic.
—Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026
Snow that turns shades of red, green, orange, brown, gray, or black may have traces of algae, bacteria, and different pollutants.
—Isabel Lopez, Parents, 11 Feb. 2026
The researchers also flagged some samples with small traces of fluorine, a chemical that can lead to lower birth rates in high doses, as well as organohalogens and nitroaromatics—both known to have carcinogenic effects.
—Aude Konan, Scientific American, 11 Feb. 2026
Then vacuum to remove all traces of the powder.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2026
Even a contemporary space contains traces of Georgian, Victorian, or Edwardian thinking.
—Maddie Topliff, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Feb. 2026
Verb
The case traces back to April 2025, when the Justice Department initiated compliance reviews of Harvard’s undergraduate, law, and medical school admissions programs.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 13 Feb. 2026
Shot in high-contrast black and white with obsessive attention to design, the film traces the unavoidable costs imposed on a family for the fleeting brush with artistic transcendence, however sporadic.
—Ben Croll, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026
Inspired by Elizabeth Beller’s biography, Love Story traces the couple’s romance and the tragedy that followed.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 12 Feb. 2026
The limited drama series traces the events that led Kaepernick to play professional football and later stand up for racial justice and equality.
—Ilana Gordon, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Feb. 2026
The lineage of her home party, Fratelli d’Italia, or Brothers of Italy, traces back to the rump of Mussolini’s fascists.
—Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2026
Biological computing, as an idea, traces back to the 1940s and 1950s.
—Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
The debt traces back to a contract signed roughly 25 years ago, when Diablo Grande was planned as a large residential development with thousands of homes.
—Nina Burns, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
The blurred surge, of course, traces back to K-beauty, where this finish has been popular for years.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
Containers that have traces of food and are left at room temperature will quickly develop mold spores.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 19 Feb. 2026
The following day, Nanos confirmed that her disappearance was being investigated as a crime and revealed that traces of Nancy's blood had been discovered on her porch.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Feb. 2026
Midway through his presidency in 1985, after doctors discovered a benign polyp and traces of blood during routine tests, Reagan was advised to avoid rare steak and other red meats.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Thanks to Michael Kor,s traces of her signature style remain iconic.
—Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 13 Feb. 2026
Snow that turns shades of red, green, orange, brown, gray, or black may have traces of algae, bacteria, and different pollutants.
—Isabel Lopez, Parents, 11 Feb. 2026
The researchers also flagged some samples with small traces of fluorine, a chemical that can lead to lower birth rates in high doses, as well as organohalogens and nitroaromatics—both known to have carcinogenic effects.
—Aude Konan, Scientific American, 11 Feb. 2026
Then vacuum to remove all traces of the powder.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2026
Even a contemporary space contains traces of Georgian, Victorian, or Edwardian thinking.
—Maddie Topliff, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for traces
Verb
-
The World Gold Council outlines several scenarios.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
-
From giving red packets to ensuring your home is properly prepared, CNN outlines the essential do’s and don’ts to help set the tone for a successful year ahead.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
At least 77 people were killed and dozens injured in various attacks, mostly by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, in densely populated areas, according to Sudan Doctors Network, a group that tracks violence through the war.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The quarter-sized wearable device clips onto people's underwear and tracks their intestinal gas using electrochemical sensors.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Wildly beautiful, Sydney Harbour National Park protects the islands and foreshore around the famous harbour, including some of the most breathtaking beaches, bushland, and coastal trails in the world.—
Sophie Davies,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The plane crashed in a very remote part of Emerald Mountain, a mountain with hiking and biking trails just across the Yampa River from Steamboat Springs, Routt County Sheriff Doug Scherar said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Basically, look for a design that looks like as though was made for walking in the Mediterranean, but also for conquering the city streets.—
Alex Sales,
Glamour,
14 Feb. 2026
-
In recent years, neighborhoods ranging from Hancock Park and Lincoln Heights to Mar Vista and Pico Union have been plagued by copper wire theft that darkens the streets.—
Melissa Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Since 1957, believers and non-believers alike have sought refuge at the 10-acre estate, with meandering woodland paths and rocky gardens nestled along a quiet, lake-like inlet of Long Island Sound.—
Hannah Towey,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Trails meander past the butterfly garden, under a canopy of southern magnolias and hardwoods, and over a mix of boardwalks, dirt paths, and concrete walkways.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But those relics of history paled in comparison to the ambience — and opulence — of the Forest Theater.—
Uwa Ede-Osifo,
Dallas Morning News,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Their professional norms – editorial gatekeeping, standards for sourcing, verification of facts – are not bureaucratic relics.—
Charles Edward Gehrke,
Fortune,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The novel is famously austere, with mere glimmers of physical intimacy.—
Emily Zemler,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
In non-theme park play, the game revolves around Illumineers, glimmers, inklands, a lorebook and other buzzwords and actions that are important to players.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Thrilling are the hints of feminine power.—
Arden Fanning Andrews,
Vogue,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Ancestry continues to provide hints about older ancestors, giving you the ability to dig even deeper into your family history.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Traces.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/traces. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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