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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of traces
Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2026
The rodeo traces its roots to 1938, when the Austin Chamber of Commerce began discussing a livestock show to promote beef production in Central Texas.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 6 Mar. 2026
Each season traces the love story of one of the eight Bridgerton siblings, giving audiences memorable heart-fluttering and swoon-worthy moments, cementing it as one of the streamer's most popular shows.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
The speculation traces back to July 2025, when Maas posted a video to Instagram that sent her massive fanbase into a frenzy.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2026
The Alawi faith is a branch of Shi’a Islam that traces its origins to the early Islamic period and the teachings of Ibn Nusayr, a Shi’a scholar who lived and worked in what is now northern Iraq during the late eighth and early ninth centuries.
—Literary Hub, 4 Mar. 2026
The frenzy traces back to July 2025, when Maas posted a video to Instagram that sent her massive fanbase into a tailspin.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
Calabash-style seafood traces back to fish camps of the 1930s, and restaurants like Beck’s and Calabash Seafood Hut continue the tradition, Southern Living says.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 4 Mar. 2026
The unpredictability of this team traces directly back to Dubas.
—Josh Yohe, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 5 Mar. 2026
Prosecutors said the evidence presented in the murder case included video, traces of DNA from a cellphone dropped by the gunman that matched Brasser and ballistics matching a gun found in Brasser’s mother’s home.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 5 Mar. 2026
But be sure to wipe away all traces of vinegar before starting with the bleach; vinegar and bleach should never come into contact with each other.
—Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 2026
The new tenant promises tortillas on the comal and a margarita-forward identity, while holding onto small traces of what came before.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 Mar. 2026
By the time of her later steel sculptures, these artifacts and traces of the human hand have all but—or in many cases, entirely—disappeared.
—Gordon Hughes, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
Denver is on track to see one of the city’s driest winters on record after only traces of snow fell in February, according to the National Weather Service.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 1 Mar. 2026
The ginger ale mention traces back to the scene when Ilya was making Shane the tuna melt and opened his fridge, which was stocked with ginger ale.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
On Friday, the Chiang Mai regional livestock office announced in a statement that autopsies of the animals found genetic material of canine distemper virus, or CDV, and traces of bacterial infection but no avian influenza type A virus, also known as bird flu.
—Wasamon Audjarint, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
Produced by Boy Wonder and Charlee Way, who helped shape Latin music with various projects, La Liga Feminina traces the many facets of musica urbana and how each musician plays a role in the genre.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 6 Mar. 2026
The rodeo traces its roots to 1938, when the Austin Chamber of Commerce began discussing a livestock show to promote beef production in Central Texas.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 6 Mar. 2026
Each season traces the love story of one of the eight Bridgerton siblings, giving audiences memorable heart-fluttering and swoon-worthy moments, cementing it as one of the streamer's most popular shows.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 4 Mar. 2026
The speculation traces back to July 2025, when Maas posted a video to Instagram that sent her massive fanbase into a frenzy.
—Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2026
The Alawi faith is a branch of Shi’a Islam that traces its origins to the early Islamic period and the teachings of Ibn Nusayr, a Shi’a scholar who lived and worked in what is now northern Iraq during the late eighth and early ninth centuries.
—Literary Hub, 4 Mar. 2026
The frenzy traces back to July 2025, when Maas posted a video to Instagram that sent her massive fanbase into a tailspin.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
Calabash-style seafood traces back to fish camps of the 1930s, and restaurants like Beck’s and Calabash Seafood Hut continue the tradition, Southern Living says.
—Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 4 Mar. 2026
The unpredictability of this team traces directly back to Dubas.
—Josh Yohe, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
Noun
The adaptation retains traces of its literary roots—there are multiple nods to Nabokov, including a bakery named after Charlotte Haze, Lolita’s mother—but its bookishness is mostly window dressing.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 5 Mar. 2026
Prosecutors said the evidence presented in the murder case included video, traces of DNA from a cellphone dropped by the gunman that matched Brasser and ballistics matching a gun found in Brasser’s mother’s home.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 5 Mar. 2026
But be sure to wipe away all traces of vinegar before starting with the bleach; vinegar and bleach should never come into contact with each other.
—Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 3 Mar. 2026
The new tenant promises tortillas on the comal and a margarita-forward identity, while holding onto small traces of what came before.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 Mar. 2026
By the time of her later steel sculptures, these artifacts and traces of the human hand have all but—or in many cases, entirely—disappeared.
—Gordon Hughes, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026
Denver is on track to see one of the city’s driest winters on record after only traces of snow fell in February, according to the National Weather Service.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 1 Mar. 2026
The ginger ale mention traces back to the scene when Ilya was making Shane the tuna melt and opened his fridge, which was stocked with ginger ale.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
On Friday, the Chiang Mai regional livestock office announced in a statement that autopsies of the animals found genetic material of canine distemper virus, or CDV, and traces of bacterial infection but no avian influenza type A virus, also known as bird flu.
—Wasamon Audjarint, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for traces
Verb
-
Whatley outlines public safety priorities, criticizes Cooper Beyond the specific proposal, Whatley said public safety would be a central focus of his Senate campaign and potential term in office.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Mar. 2026
-
This section outlines how diverse inputs strengthen market understanding when used thoughtfully and selectively.—
Ascend Agency,
Mercury News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Best Buy anticipates that comparable sales, a metric that tracks sales online and in stores open at least 14 months, will range from a decline of 1% to an increase of 1%.—
Melissa Repko,Laya Neelakandan,
CNBC,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The two practiced together leading into the 2024 Olympics, and Wembanyama’s evaluation still tracks.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Saratoga Spa State Park offers wooded trails and performance venues, such as the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, while the nearby Adirondack foothills offer easy access to hiking and lake country.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Take a hike Head out to a mountain or grassland and follow the trails to see native plants in bloom now.—
Nan Sterman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
QueenEr’Re was the second 11-year-old to be killed on the block since early 2023, the latest loss in an area already marked by streets named for Derrick Turnbow and Domonic Davis, whose young lives were also claimed by gun violence.—
Cameron Knight,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Reaching Captiva Island is part of the charm—a drive over the Sanibel Causeway, through Sanibel’s artsy streets, then across Blind Pass Bridge into a quieter, more secluded world.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Accessibility The paths aren’t paved, and some of the tents, like ours, are up a relatively steep hill.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Mar. 2026
-
General Daily Insight for March 09, 2026 Cosmic wisdom can guide us to unexpected paths forward.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Yet, through careful restoration, elements like Pabst’s bar and other relics have been preserved and restored to showcase the rich history of this tie to Wisconsin’s past.—
Rachel Bernhard,
jsonline.com,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The Artifact Exhibition has introduced an add-on VR activity to its walk-through display with relics and reproductions tied to the ship that famously sank in 1912.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The audience gets glimmers of Katie and Greg’s relationship, but the show is bogged down by dull characters like the policeman who seems to have it out for Greg, and even by its focus on Archie’s point of view, which is just a depiction of narcissism and a formulaic pseudo-midlife crisis.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The sun and light glimmers and shines off this material and the entire interior looks, and feels, slick like a black lacquer has been applied throughout.—
Joel Feder,
The Drive,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There are some hints that along with the switch to colder weather, there could be some light snow.—
Cutter Martin,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Stout is a full-bodied ale that lends toasty depth and hints of malt and hops to the broth.—
Lynda Balslev,
Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Traces.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/traces. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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