Synonyms of trade

trade 1 of 2

noun

ˈtrād 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• exchange
• swap
• barter
• truck
• dealing
• deal
• bargaining
• commutation
• bargain
• substitution
• back-and-forth
• quid pro quo
• transaction
• negotiation
• trade-off
• replacement
• dicker
• reciprocation
• recompense
• horse trade
• haggling
• horse trading
• dickering
• logrolling
• requital

2

as in craft

an occupation requiring skillful use of the hands

a youth eager to learn the trade of cabinetmaking

Synonyms & Similar Words

• craft
• art
• skill
• handicraft
• handcraft
• occupation
• profession
• vocation
• calling
• métier

3

as in profession

the activity by which one regularly makes a living

writing is my trade

Synonyms & Similar Words

• profession
• occupation
• work
• vocation
• employment
• line
• calling
• game
• job
• business
• lay
• duty
• livelihood
• living
• mission
• enterprise
• position
• art
• call
• place
• task
• assignment
• engagement
• field
• craft
• office
• situation
• racket
• handicraft
• function
• gig
• lifework
• load
• post
• handcraft
• métier
• workload
• appointment
• billet
• berth

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pursuit
• hobby
• avocation

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

• commerce
• marketplace
• traffic
• dealings
• business
• free trade
• black market
• retailing
• gray market
• bartering
• merchandising
• wholesaling
• horse-trading
• e-tail

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

• sale
• deal
• transaction
• purchase
• auction
• bargain
• negotiation
• buy
• steal
• fair
• clearance
• silent auction
• horse-trading
• haggle
• closeout
• garage sale
• rummage sale
• yard sale
• fire sale
• jumble sale
• tag sale

trade

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to deal

to carry on the business of buying and selling goods or other property

the U.S. agreed to trade with China

Synonyms & Similar Words

• deal
• sell
• negotiate
• traffic
• smuggle
• exchange
• swap
• barter
• bargain
• merchandise
• buy
• purchase
• transact
• resell
• retail
• market
• supply
• wholesale
• auction
• horse-trade
• peddle
• invest
• distribute
• take
• fence
• monopolize
• vend
• pick up
• speculate
• rebuy
• undersell
• black-market
• fair-trade
• bootleg
• day-trade
• engross
• corner

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• boycott
• black
• blackball

2

as in to exchange

to give up (something) and take something else in return

I'll trade my chocolate chip cookie for your bag of chips

Synonyms & Similar Words

• exchange
• swap
• substitute
• change
• commute
• switch
• replace
• shift
• supersede
• interchange
• displace
• surrender
• reciprocate
• yield
• cede
• hand over

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

Recent Examples of trade

Noun

Since the trade deadline, though, the Nationals seem to have lost their moxie. — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Trump imposed 50% tariffs on about $20 billion in goods after trade talks collapsed in August. — Joey Garrison, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026

Verb

Unlike traditional equities, they can be held in digital wallets, transferred directly between users and traded around the clock. — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 10 Sep. 2026

The trade drew consternation from many Dallas fans who were critical of the team's decision to trade away the now-27-year-old face of the franchise. — Joe Walsh, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing trade

• trade on