trail 1 of 2

trail

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verb

as in to track
to go after or on the track of we trailed our friend into the woods, inadvertently spoiling his plans for a solitary hike

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word trail distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of trail are chase, follow, and pursue. While all these words mean "to go after or on the track of something or someone," trail may stress a following of tracks or traces rather than a visible object.

trail deer
trailed a suspect across the country

When would chase be a good substitute for trail?

While in some cases nearly identical to trail, chase implies going swiftly after and trying to overtake something fleeing or running.

a dog chasing a cat

When is it sensible to use follow instead of trail?

The meanings of follow and trail largely overlap; however, follow puts less emphasis upon speed or intent to overtake.

friends followed me home in their car

Where would pursue be a reasonable alternative to trail?

The words pursue and trail can be used in similar contexts, but pursue suggests a continuing effort to overtake, reach, or attain.

pursued the criminal through narrow streets

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 trail
Noun
The bottom line is, as of the time of the murder, there were no live suspects and so the trail could’ve gone cold there. EW.com, 24 June 2025 Volunteers sought to clear trails Cuyamaca Rancho State Park’s trails maintenance volunteer unit is looking for volunteers to help with trail maintenance in Cuyamaca. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 June 2025
Verb
Though that gives it a narrow edge over hockey, itself at 7 percent, soccer significantly trails the share held by baseball (35 percent), basketball (22 percent) and football (20 percent). Jeff Rueter, New York Times, 22 June 2025 He's called into action when a piece of space debris — dislodged from a planetary ring by WALL-E's trailing hand — breaks a light fitting on the ship's hull. Richard Edwards, Space.com, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for trail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trail
Noun
  • Although Disney could have made Underworld, as well as Lucas' vision of the Sequel Trilogy, time has shown us the company took a different path with the franchise.
    Daryl Baxter, Space.com, 28 June 2025
  • Storm tracker This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm.
    Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 28 June 2025
Noun
  • If the Senate can stay on track, Mike Johnson would then call House members back from their weeklong break to pass the legislation.
    David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 27 June 2025
  • The United States Postal Service appears to be on track to raise the first-class Forever Stamp price as well as for other products in just over two weeks, a spokesperson for the federal agency confirmed to USA TODAY on June 26.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Much like the rest of the lineup, Lindor is also chasing pitches outside of the zone.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 21 June 2025
  • Protesters are chasing federal agents out of L.A. County hotels.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • Paille also said that urban areas could be redesigned to separate roads from footpaths.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 27 May 2025
  • Shoppers have used them to spruce up everything from driveways, footpaths, and flower beds to stairways, swimming pools, and retaining walls.
    Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 May 2025
Noun
  • As land and sea collapse, a mother and her son resist in their own ways, holding on to the fading traces of home, memory, and love.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 24 June 2025
  • Whip the cream in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment until traces of the whisk appear.
    Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • In November 2024, the Illinois Supreme Court overturned the criminal convictions against him, ruling that his rights were violated when a special prosecutor pursued charges after the Cook County State's Attorney previously dropped them.
    Angel Saunders, People.com, 21 June 2025
  • Meanwhile, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei—the Supreme Leader since 1989 and now eighty-six years old—pursues his regime’s martial goals and ominous fantasies.
    David Remnick, New Yorker, 21 June 2025
Noun
  • This decision accelerated efforts to dismantle the humanitarian parole pathway established under the previous administration.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
  • The pathway Ghosh was asked to study occurs via several steps.
    Matt von Hippel, ArsTechnica, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • Over the past two seasons, few position groups have left as large a footprint in Columbia as Missouri’s wide receivers.
    Zach Sweet, Kansas City Star, 27 June 2025
  • The partnership not only amplifies Levi’s presence under the same roof as high-end labels like Prada and Brunello Cucinelli but also supports the brand’s ongoing efforts to expand its footprint in Canada.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 27 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Trail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trail. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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