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
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 traces
Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 27 Oct. 2025
The problem traces back to Ghana and the Ivory Coast, which together produce 60% of the world’s cocoa and have been slammed by poor harvests due to climate change.
—Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025
Evolito itself traces its roots to YASA’s early axial flux technology.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
This approach, which Schmidt revealed during a recent interview on The Gstaad Guy Podcast hosted by Gustaf Lundberg Toresson, traces back to his mentorship by the late great Bill Campbell, legendary coach to tech’s most influential leaders.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
As for the on-cam streaming stuff, Gooncultist traces it to something called Rabbit, a platform designed to allow users to watch Netflix together, which proto-gooners found their own novel uses for.
—Daniel Kolitz, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Lewis, a tight end at Wisconsin from 2004-07, traces his appreciation for rivalries to his Big Ten roots.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2025
Kelly said French detectives are likely running the DNA traces through law enforcement DNA databases to look for a match.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 23 Oct. 2025
Trump traces his achievements so far to his willingness to use America’s military might.
—Eric Cortellessa, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Armacham is trying to destroy the facility, hide all traces.
—Will Borger, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau told radio station RTL the suspects, one of whom was identified through DNA traces left at the crime scene, had been arrested in coordinated raids in different parts of the capital on Wednesday evening.
—Alessandro Parodi, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
Whether being inspired by Elizabeth Taylor’s jewels, stacking wigs upon wigs for a potential runway look or perfecting mascara with traces of velvet, Jacobs’ consideration comes across loud and clear.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2025
In the end, deputies used surveillance footage from a neighbor’s door camera, the security system inside the Stauch household, Letecia’s search history, texts from her phone and traces of Gannon's blood found in unexpected places to build their case.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
My previous feelings always leave traces in the next work; they’re linked.
—Gavin J Blair, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2025
In less than one electoral cycle, Maduro eliminated all democratic traces and turned the system into one of the most repressive, poverty-producing, and corrupt machines in the world.
—Javier Corrales, Time, 27 Oct. 2025
The suspects were identified thanks to the DNA traces, Franceinfo radio reported on Sunday.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
The Mineral Belt Trail traces old mining routes and railroad beds, passing historic sites, rivers, and wetlands.
—Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 27 Oct. 2025
The problem traces back to Ghana and the Ivory Coast, which together produce 60% of the world’s cocoa and have been slammed by poor harvests due to climate change.
—Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025
Evolito itself traces its roots to YASA’s early axial flux technology.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025
This approach, which Schmidt revealed during a recent interview on The Gstaad Guy Podcast hosted by Gustaf Lundberg Toresson, traces back to his mentorship by the late great Bill Campbell, legendary coach to tech’s most influential leaders.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
As for the on-cam streaming stuff, Gooncultist traces it to something called Rabbit, a platform designed to allow users to watch Netflix together, which proto-gooners found their own novel uses for.
—Daniel Kolitz, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Lewis, a tight end at Wisconsin from 2004-07, traces his appreciation for rivalries to his Big Ten roots.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2025
Kelly said French detectives are likely running the DNA traces through law enforcement DNA databases to look for a match.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 23 Oct. 2025
Trump traces his achievements so far to his willingness to use America’s military might.
—Eric Cortellessa, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
Colleges, employers and even peers can access public digital traces.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Armacham is trying to destroy the facility, hide all traces.
—Will Borger, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2025
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau told radio station RTL the suspects, one of whom was identified through DNA traces left at the crime scene, had been arrested in coordinated raids in different parts of the capital on Wednesday evening.
—Alessandro Parodi, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
Whether being inspired by Elizabeth Taylor’s jewels, stacking wigs upon wigs for a potential runway look or perfecting mascara with traces of velvet, Jacobs’ consideration comes across loud and clear.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2025
In the end, deputies used surveillance footage from a neighbor’s door camera, the security system inside the Stauch household, Letecia’s search history, texts from her phone and traces of Gannon's blood found in unexpected places to build their case.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
My previous feelings always leave traces in the next work; they’re linked.
—Gavin J Blair, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2025
In less than one electoral cycle, Maduro eliminated all democratic traces and turned the system into one of the most repressive, poverty-producing, and corrupt machines in the world.
—Javier Corrales, Time, 27 Oct. 2025
The suspects were identified thanks to the DNA traces, Franceinfo radio reported on Sunday.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for traces
Verb
-
These individuals, who began using marijuana in their late teens or early adulthood, did not seek out mental health care as frequently but had higher odds of seeking physical medical attention than individuals who didn't use marijuana at all, the study outlines.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Galchen also outlines the dangers posed by countries, such as the United States, that vest the authority to use nuclear weapons in a single individual.—
Caroline Mimbs Nyce,
New Yorker,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The sports books spend hundreds of millions on advertising annually, primarily during games, along with pregame and post-game shows, according to MediaRadar, which tracks and estimates ad spending.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Every Friday morning, the weekly Fortune 500 Power Moves column tracks Fortune 500 company C-suite shifts—see the most recent edition.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
However, the Miss USA organization is already making amends and blazing new trails with its fresh-faced leadership team.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
-
At the Racetrack Playa, a dry lake bed between the Cottonwood and Last Chance ranges, stones large and small slide across the valley floor, leaving trails in the sand.—
Graham Averill,
Outside,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
So, on the night after the murder, the town’s streets were filled with anguished cries from the Inuit—wails of loss and pain.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
-
National flags adorned the streets, even in Montreal where the fleur-de-lys of Quebec is far more common than Canada’s maple leaf.—
Dónal Gill,
The Dial,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The couple crossed paths in 2015 and married five years later.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Here, sculptures, interactive exhibits, and winding paths encourage exploration at every turn.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Step into a time warp of vintage gas pumps, racing memorabilia, and unusual roadside relics at Mendenhall’s Museum.—
Maggie Downs,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Eight other jewels - all relics of France's imperial history - remain missing.—
NPR,
NPR,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Directed by Olivier & Tony Award nominee Jeremy Herrin (People, Places and Things; Wolf Hall) and MacMillan, Every Brilliant Thing revolves around a man who looks back at his life and the glimmers of hope that carried him through.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Well, that’s where the Golden State truly glimmers.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In the pool room — an oval-like space with a pool table set in the middle — Reuter’s work is a brick-like mural with hints of greenery peeking out along the top.—
Lennie Omalza,
Louisville Courier Journal,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Yates has been dating Andrews since the summer of 2023, after months of Yates' dropping hints online.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Traces.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/traces. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share