TRAFFIC Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'traffic' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of traffic are business , commerce , industry , and trade . While all these words mean "activity concerned with the supplying and distribution of commodities," traffic applies to the operation and functioning of public carriers of goods and persons.

Q: Where would 'business' be a reasonable alternative to 'traffic'?

While the synonyms business and traffic are close in meaning, 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.

Q: How are the words 'commerce' and 'trade' related as synonyms of 'traffic'?

Both commerce and trade imply the exchange and transportation of commodities.

Q: When would 'industry' be a good substitute for 'traffic'?

The words industry and traffic 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.

Q: How is the word 'traffic' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of traffic are business , commerce , industry , and trade . While all these words mean "activity concerned with the supplying and distribution of commodities," traffic applies to the operation and functioning of public carriers of goods and persons.

Q: Where would 'business' be a reasonable alternative to 'traffic'?

While the synonyms business and traffic are close in meaning, 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.

Q: How are the words 'commerce' and 'trade' related as synonyms of 'traffic'?

Both commerce and trade imply the exchange and transportation of commodities.

Q: When would 'industry' be a good substitute for 'traffic'?

The words industry and traffic 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.

traffic 1 of 2

noun

ˈtra-fik

Definition of traffic next

as in commerce

the buying and selling of goods especially on a large scale and between different places they contributed money to an environmental group that works to end the traffic of endangered animals

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

traffic

2 of 2

verb

as in to trade

to carry on the business of buying and selling goods or other property arrested him for trafficking in drugs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word traffic distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of traffic are business, commerce, industry, and trade. While all these words mean "activity concerned with the supplying and distribution of commodities," traffic applies to the operation and functioning of public carriers of goods and persons.

Where would business be a reasonable alternative to traffic?

While the synonyms business and traffic are close in meaning, 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.

How are the words commerce and trade related as synonyms of traffic?

Both commerce and trade imply the exchange and transportation of commodities.

When would industry be a good substitute for traffic?

The words industry and traffic 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.

How is the word traffic distinct from other similar nouns?

Where would business be a reasonable alternative to traffic?

How are the words commerce and trade related as synonyms of traffic?

Both commerce and trade imply the exchange and transportation of commodities.

When would industry be a good substitute for traffic?

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 traffic

Noun

Michael Loria The number of vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz remains well below average, according to an analysis of Kpler Risk and Compliance, a global intelligence firm that tracks maritime traffic. —

Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026 Much of this traffic will be confined to an area within 100 miles of the south pole. —

Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 16 Apr. 2026

Verb

Washington has intensified its crackdown on the Cartel del Noreste — heir to the former Zetas — which has been accused of trafficking weapons, drugs and people, and is characterized by its violent practices and extortion. —

ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026 Perera, after receiving a grand jury subpoena more than five years ago, chose to flip on Rivera and Nuhfer and got to keep his multimillion-dollar commission on the Venezuelan deal, a remarkable outcome for the Miami real estate developer with a cocaine-trafficking conviction in the late 1990s. —

Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for traffic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for traffic

Noun

Abdulkarim is charged federally with arson of a building used in interstate and foreign commerce and faces multiple state felony counts that could significantly increase his prison exposure.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
In 2013, Bezos made a separate personal purchase that signaled his expanding influence beyond commerce.

— Rey Covarrubias Jr, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026