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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Recent Examples of traces
Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 30 Jan. 2026
The menswear store in the city’s upscale suburb of La Jolla traces its roots to 1950 when Jack Matzinger opened a conservative, traditional haberdashery on Girard Avenue.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 30 Jan. 2026
Mixing and juxtaposing voices, lingos, and tones, [Dylan] traces the decline of America over the trajectory of his own lifetime through the kaleidoscope of the Kennedy assassination.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Emily Mendenhall traces the medical myths, gender bias, and neurological truths behind hysteria, one of history’s most damaging diagnoses.
—Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026
The presentation traces Kahlo’s posthumous transformation from relatively unknown painter to global brand.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
In eastern Ukraine, the film traces several young Ukrainians whose lives have been forever shaped by more than 10 years of war and conflict in the Donbas region.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026
The church traces its roots to the 16th century when the English church broke away from the Roman Catholic Church during the reign of King Henry VIII.
—Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
That line traces back to rap’s beginnings, a reliable party-starting instruction.
—Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 23 Jan. 2026
Natalia Sánchez Loayza, Scientific American, 29 Jan. 2026
This sequence of events is supported by the fact that traces of Mogen and Goncalves' blood was found on the door of Mogen's bedroom, the stairwell and bannister leading from the third to the second floor of the home, and on the walls near Kernodle's bedroom, according to the filing.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
In the beauty world, there’s tons of products, from cleansing oils to micellar waters, trusted to remove all traces of makeup from your face.
—Tatayana Yomary, Essence, 28 Jan. 2026
Police had been looking for more evidence -- including a possible murder weapon or traces of blood.
—Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
The officer asked for his phone and began to check it, also looking for keywords in his chats, traces of drug use, or anything that could implicate wrongdoing.
—Cnn, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026
The beam is magnitudes stronger than a medical X-ray, and can rapidly identify minute traces of chemicals from ink that has been erased, said University of Wisconsin physics researcher Minhal Gardezi, part of the Hipparchus team.
—Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2026
Authorities analyzed traces of DNA found on the water jug.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 21 Jan. 2026
The constant company seemed to erase all traces of her dementia, Griselda told me.
—Oriana Van Praag, New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2026
Verb
Ben traces the idea to his family’s utilitarian history, referencing candle bags that once carried fragile items without damage.
—Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 30 Jan. 2026
The menswear store in the city’s upscale suburb of La Jolla traces its roots to 1950 when Jack Matzinger opened a conservative, traditional haberdashery on Girard Avenue.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 30 Jan. 2026
Mixing and juxtaposing voices, lingos, and tones, [Dylan] traces the decline of America over the trajectory of his own lifetime through the kaleidoscope of the Kennedy assassination.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Emily Mendenhall traces the medical myths, gender bias, and neurological truths behind hysteria, one of history’s most damaging diagnoses.
—Big Think, 29 Jan. 2026
The presentation traces Kahlo’s posthumous transformation from relatively unknown painter to global brand.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
In eastern Ukraine, the film traces several young Ukrainians whose lives have been forever shaped by more than 10 years of war and conflict in the Donbas region.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026
The church traces its roots to the 16th century when the English church broke away from the Roman Catholic Church during the reign of King Henry VIII.
—Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
That line traces back to rap’s beginnings, a reliable party-starting instruction.
—Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 23 Jan. 2026
Noun
In each place, searching for traces of Katharine Blodgett’s intellectual and personal footprint.
—Natalia Sánchez Loayza, Scientific American, 29 Jan. 2026
This sequence of events is supported by the fact that traces of Mogen and Goncalves' blood was found on the door of Mogen's bedroom, the stairwell and bannister leading from the third to the second floor of the home, and on the walls near Kernodle's bedroom, according to the filing.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
In the beauty world, there’s tons of products, from cleansing oils to micellar waters, trusted to remove all traces of makeup from your face.
—Tatayana Yomary, Essence, 28 Jan. 2026
Police had been looking for more evidence -- including a possible murder weapon or traces of blood.
—Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
The officer asked for his phone and began to check it, also looking for keywords in his chats, traces of drug use, or anything that could implicate wrongdoing.
—Cnn, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026
The beam is magnitudes stronger than a medical X-ray, and can rapidly identify minute traces of chemicals from ink that has been erased, said University of Wisconsin physics researcher Minhal Gardezi, part of the Hipparchus team.
—Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2026
Authorities analyzed traces of DNA found on the water jug.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 21 Jan. 2026
The constant company seemed to erase all traces of her dementia, Griselda told me.
—Oriana Van Praag, New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for traces
Verb
-
This article outlines a system to achieve niche fame using ChatGPT.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
The policy also outlines investment areas for the country, including incentives to attract foreign talent.—
Rachyl Jones,
semafor.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
However, the Fed is unlikely to adjust rates in the coming months — as of Tuesday afternoon, there's about a 72% chance that the Fed's benchmark rate holds steady through most of April, according to the CME FedWatch tool, which tracks market expectations based on futures pricing.—
Mike Winters,
CNBC,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Karen Bick, Ralliant’s chief people officer, says the company tracks productivity and AI’s ability to reduce workflow friction.—
John Kell,
Fortune,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The meteors are fast and sometimes leave persistent trails, but major outbursts aren’t expected until the 2030s when parent comet Tempel-Tuttle returns.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Plans for the subdivision include pickleball courts, a dog park and a series of public trails and pathways, including one for horseback riding, Yorgason said.—
Rose Evans
January 24,
Idaho Statesman,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Earlier Saturday in Minneapolis, a federal immigration officer shot and killed a man, drawing hundreds of protesters onto the frigid streets and ratcheting up tensions in a city already shaken by another fatal shooting weeks earlier.—
Valerie Gonzalez,
Twin Cities,
25 Jan. 2026
-
More than one thousand city workers are preparing to work around the clock to clear city streets once the snow starts to fall.—
Ryan Hughes,
CBS News,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This signature Aayush hydrothermal experience blends contrast pools, saunas, reflexology paths, and salt rooms into a restorative circuit.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Southern Living,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Manhattan’s urban grid disappears among the winding paths and dense foliage of Central Park.—
Katie James Watkinson,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The historic downtown is full of antique mining relics and quirky businesses.—
Jen Murphy,
Outside,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The square Edelman and fellow students dug in, after determining the spot might yield interesting relics, did produce tiles, pieces of ceramic and more.—
Helen I. Bennett,
Hartford Courant,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
There’s still a long way to go to restore his status as a promising prospect, but there have been glimmers of hope the last couple weeks.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
People crafted narratives out of suspicions, rumors and hints, to fill a desperate need for an explanation.—
M. Gessen,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
There are also a couple of hints that the fate of Europe’s Jews is part of the prevailing atmosphere of unmentionable moral contagion.—
Christopher Tayler,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Traces.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/traces. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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