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.

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

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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.

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

And the longer traffic stays stalled, the worse the energy crisis could get. —

ABC News, 4 June 2026 The bridge opened to traffic a decade later. —

Rachel Treisman, NPR, 4 June 2026

Verb

That began to change in 2016 when the government signed a peace treaty with cocaine-trafficking rebels. —

John Otis, NPR, 30 May 2026 Murphy was arrested on June 24 and she was charged with trafficking a person under 18 and compelling prostitution by force/threat, according to Tarrant County Jail records and criminal court records. —

Domingo Ramirez Jr, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for traffic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for traffic

Noun

The announcement marks another step in Meta’s broader effort to expand generative AI across its consumer and business ecosystem as messaging platforms increasingly evolve into commerce hubs.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 June 2026
One such project was live commerce à la QVC via streaming, which no customers were asking Macy’s for.

— Phil Wahba, Fortune, 2 June 2026