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

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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

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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
Shipment records provided by a trade data firm show that, since May 2021, Hubei Hangtei’s parts have been shipped to India, Indonesia, Mexico, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Canada, as well as the United States, where shipments would be subject to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. David Pierson, New York Times, 29 May 2025 Although one obvious pathway for the Lakers to improve this summer is via trade, packaging a group of players with expiring contracts for higher-impact players, another is going to be on the minimum-contract market. Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
Verb
Some Dodger fans would like the team to trade some prospects for a replacement for Muncy or Conforto, or both. Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025 So there was that little bit of an interesting period when I got traded over. Annie Heilbrunn, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for trade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trade
Noun
  • The very principle of financialization rules even the most mundane exchange of objects in the same manner that the most banal exchange of economic investment and speculation regulates the sign of spiritual autonomy and utopian aspirations that abstraction had initially promised.
    Benjamin H. D. Buchloh, Artforum, 1 June 2025
  • On Thursday, Lurie announced on social media that cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase is opening an office in San Francisco after leaving the city four years ago.
    Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 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
  • On Milwaukee’s Eastside, Pruitt recommends squeezing into the Estate, an intimate 1977-vintage club renowned for its jazz shows and craft cocktails.
    Elaine Glusac, AFAR Media, 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
  • Both our assistant commerce director Lori Keong and our commerce producer Lauren Arzbaecher are big proponents of Coop’s pillows.
    Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 29 May 2025
  • Related Stories Shoppers—as well as tenants—will again flock to what has become the neighborhood’s central commerce hub, Caruso believes.
    Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • This marks a notable increase compared to the same quarter last year, when the company reported earnings of $0.07 per share on sales of $60.78 million.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • The order explicitly prohibits the sale of any bitcoin from the reserve, cementing its role as a permanent sovereign asset.
    MacKenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • Prospective international students to the U.S. were dealt another blow when U.S. embassies were ordered not to schedule any new student visa interviews while the Trump Administration prepares to expand its vetting of applicants’ social media profiles.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 28 May 2025
  • Meanwhile, Trump's immigration agenda was dealt another recent blow after the Supreme Court, in a 7-2 ruling, temporarily blocked the president from invoking the Alien Enemies Act to detain or deport Venezuelan nationals.
    Sonam Sheth Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • Ayers is a pilot, and previously flew F-22s in the U.S. Air Force before swapping out jets for rockets, after being selected for NASA Astronaut Group 23 in 2021.
    Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025
  • To correct this, swap the middle screw with a 3-inch screw.
    Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 May 2025
Noun
  • My grandmother was born in Mexico, and my mom always had that type of art in our house.
    Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2025
  • Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group celebrates 40 years of defying reality, defining entertainment, and illuminating the world through art and creativity.
    Jane Levere, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Trade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trade. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

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