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

After seeing a rise in traffic collisions involving buses in recent months, San Bernardino police and the city's bus drivers are teaming up for special bus patrols in order to crack down on traffic violators. —

Zach Boetto, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026 Investigators searched two Sacramento freeways — Interstate 5 and Highway 160 — temporarily stopping traffic while looking for evidence. —

Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 5 Mar. 2026

Verb

That agency, called MC2 Model Management, allegedly doubled as a pipeline for trafficking victims. —

Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026 No, no, no, these are not trafficked 12-year-olds, okay? —

Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 8 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for traffic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for traffic

Noun

The hearing will be held at a special joint meeting of the House and Senate commerce committees.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026
It was built in 1939 and replaced the historic McFadden Wharf, which brought commerce to the area when built in 1888 by landowners James and Robert McFadden.

— Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 10 Mar. 2026