trail 1 of 2

Definition of trailnext

trail

2 of 2

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
Using security video, cellphone data and his own digital trail, including questions to ChatGPT about whether cigarettes can start wildfires, prosecutors placed Rinderknecht at the ignition point shortly before the Lachman Fire was reported. Madeline Morrison, NBC news, 25 June 2026 When one of their husbands is murdered, a shocking trail of secrets is revealed, and their friendship cracks wide open. Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 25 June 2026
Verb
Kevin Pina’s rocket set off an eruption of joy, only for Cape Verde to trail at half-time mostly because of Maximiliano Araujo, the only Uruguay attacker showing any semblance of form. Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 24 June 2026 In one of the closest battles for any position, Arraez trails Bryson Stott of the Philadelphia Phillies, Bryce Turang of the Milwaukee Brewers and Hyeseong Kim of the Dodgers by less than 200,000 votes. Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for trail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trail
Noun
  • There are dozens of examples of major studio properties that had what appeared to be an easy path to profitability.
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026
  • That too many people pursue self-destructive paths for example.
    Dana Taylor, USA Today, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • The compensation model is intriguing because major media companies are taking a two-track approach to AI, filing copyright infringement suits in some cases and striking content licensing deals with AI firms in others.
    Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 23 June 2026
  • Its super sedan, the SU7 Ultra, was the fastest EV in the track’s history for a chunk of last year.
    Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 22 June 2026
Verb
  • Ten plus years chasing this championship – never got the recognition.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 28 June 2026
  • In one incident, a child set off bear spray in a crowd; in another, officers recovered a gun after chasing a youth, police said.
    Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 27 June 2026
Noun
  • Meanwhile, my job is to stand guard on the other side of the footpath.
    Esther Yi, New Yorker, 14 June 2026
  • Eschewing fences and pavement in favor of natural footpaths lined with brambles and shrubs, these slender pathways provide epic sea views while leaving the ancestral homes of other animals intact.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
Noun
  • So Jamon pulled up to Stribley Park this day wearing all black, with no trace of red except a splash across his Nikes.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 21 June 2026
  • While low iron, magnesium, or other trace nutrients may also cause yellowing, nitrogen is a primary nutrient and is the most likely culprit.
    Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2026
Verb
  • During the congressional hearing, Ranyan testified that the agency’s assistant secretary for security met with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department earlier in the year to pursue a contract for 24-hour patrol.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
  • Giving ourselves permission to pursue things that are not obviously useful or productive is critical.
    John Werner, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
Noun
  • Abbott also pointed to recent state investments in higher education, including more than $680 million for community college funding reforms and degree pathway programs and a $328 million increase in student financial aid funding.
    Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 June 2026
  • This creates stronger chemical bonds between the organic and inorganic components of the electrolyte while establishing continuous pathways that allow lithium ions to move more efficiently through the battery.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 22 June 2026
Noun
  • The marks of two canoes showed in the sand, and footprints of barefoot children proclaimed we’d been visited by Cree neighbors.
    Marc Terziev, Outdoor Life, 25 June 2026
  • Kim has boosted his diplomatic footprint in past years by expanding ties with Russia with his support of its war against Ukraine.
    ABC News, ABC News, 25 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Trail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trail. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.

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