trade 1 of 2

1
as in exchange
a giving or taking of one thing of value in return for another when the other team unexpectedly offered to hand over its top pitcher for our star shortstop, our coach agreed to the trade

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2
as in craft
an occupation requiring skillful use of the hands a youth eager to learn the trade of cabinetmaking

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3
4
as in commerce
the buying and selling of goods especially on a large scale and between different places a bill regulating trade with that country

Synonyms & Similar Words

5
as in sale
the transfer of ownership of something from one person to another for a price the trade of all of her holdings in the company just before the stock plunged in value immediately aroused suspicions

Synonyms & Similar Words

trade

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word trade distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of trade are business, commerce, industry, and traffic. While all these words mean "activity concerned with the supplying and distribution of commodities," commerce and trade imply the exchange and transportation of commodities.

In what contexts can business take the place of trade?

The words business and trade can be used in similar contexts, but business may be an inclusive term but specifically designates the activities of those engaged in the purchase or sale of commodities or in related financial transactions.

When could industry be used to replace trade?

The words industry and trade are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, industry applies to the producing of commodities, especially by manufacturing or processing, usually on a large scale.

When can traffic be used instead of trade?

While in some cases nearly identical to trade, traffic applies to the operation and functioning of public carriers of goods and persons.

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 trade
Noun
Zack Scott, hired on an interim basis after Porter was fired in January 2021, executed the trade. Jon Paul Hoornstra, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025 ArcelorMittal has significant exposure to international and emerging markets, where steel prices face less protection from tariffs or trade restrictions. Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Verb
Galaxy Digital, which has been traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange since 2020, shifted its shares to the Nasdaq through a direct listing — a move that follows a grueling, multiyear battle with U.S. regulators. Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 16 May 2025 Prices for the December NY/ICE contract were also range-bound, but traded between 67 and 71 cents/lb. Sj Guest Editorial, Sourcing Journal, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for trade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trade
Noun
  • In France for the world premiere of Lee’s new film, Washington pointed his finger, spoke animatedly and clasped the arm of the photographer, who smiled his way through the exchange.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 20 May 2025
  • The crypto exchange didn’t pay and is instead offering the same amount for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the hackers.
    Thomas Brewster, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • Most pharmaceutical patents have their roots in work done or supported by the NIH, and many scientists at pharmaceutical manufacturers learned their craft at institutions supported by the NIH or at the NIH itself.
    Elisabeth Rosenthal, Miami Herald, 22 May 2025
  • Real watercolors, however, hadn’t been used in a Disney feature in nearly 60 years, and much of the craft and knowledge around the form had been lost in the intervening decades.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • And in Hoskin’s view, that is true for all professions.
    Eric Rosenbaum, CNBC, 22 May 2025
  • The 31-year-old attorney from Brooklyn, New York, kept his profession a secret from the other players throughout the game.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
Noun
  • Instant commerce refers to food delivery or the delivery of general goods in 30 to 50 minutes.
    Brendan Ahern, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
  • For example, Don Evans, George W. Bush’s commerce secretary and close confidant, worked with Bush for decades before becoming a fixture in his White House.
    Erica Frantz, The Conversation, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • The sale is subject to the approval via bankruptcy proceedings and relevant regulatory bodies.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 20 May 2025
  • This Gen Xer charges $38 an hour to wait in line—including for the Diddy trial and sample sales.
    Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • There’s no shortage of Amazon deals on skincare, makeup, and beauty tools right now.
    Clara McMahon, People.com, 16 May 2025
  • By dealing directly with the club, Arsenal will avoid having to pay the entire €60m in one go.
    James McNicholas, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Precise creative work, pixel-perfect adjustments, or even swapping to a higher sensitivity to speed up navigating large spreadsheets.
    Henri Robbins, Wired News, 16 May 2025
  • During the reception, Tonkin later swapped her formal wedding gown for a sequinned custom dress by Magda Butrym, per Vogue.
    Erin Clack, People.com, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • Family-friendly activities include arts and crafts, video games, physical movement activities, interactive spray paint murals, corn hole and hop-scotch, all along the South Dock.
    Saleema Syed, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2025
  • That new music and arts festival was co-organized by Ekko Astral and the nonprofit Gender Liberation Movement, and features performances by L’Rain, Ted Leo, Speedy Ortiz, Bartees Strange, Downtown Boys, Pretty Bitter, and more across its two-day schedule.
    Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 19 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Trade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trade. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

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