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
Sprewell Bluff Park cabins are modest accommodations providing amazing vistas from atop the bluffs with river access and miles of hiking trails nearby. David Hanson, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2025 Explorers book it for its prime location directly on Cady Hill Forest, which has multiple trails for hiking and biking. Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
Costs are rising, guest traffic is uneven, and underinvestment has left the brands trailing peers. Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025 Two pitches later, the Padres trailed 4-1. Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for trail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trail
Noun
  • But when their paths do cross, fireworks usually follow.
    Jay Paris, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Advertisement Kirk’s path to national prominence was unlike that of other MAGA icons.
    Eric Cortellessa, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The track’s success proved his instincts right about creating accessible entry points for new audiences.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The band’s ninth studio album has been restored, remastered and expanded with an additional 25 bonus tracks, spanning alternate studio takes and live recordings by the famed bootlegger Mike Millard at Pink Floyd’s Los Angeles Sports Arena concert on April 26, 1975.
    Sophie Williams, Billboard, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • These calls -- known as swatting -- panicked at least a dozen schools as police rush to campuses, chasing phantom threats with many of them being racially motivated and targeting historically Black colleges and universities.
    ABC News, ABC News, 12 Sep. 2025
  • To be sure, more mutual fund companies are going to be chasing those assets on the precipice of a huge decision from the Securities and Exchange Commission which could allow every asset management company to offer an ETF share class of their funds.
    Eric Rosenbaum, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Accessibility and Sustainability Gravel footpaths and uneven stone walkways mean this isn’t the most accessible property, though there is a room specifically designed for wheelchair users.
    Siobhan Reid, Travel + Leisure, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The park has more than 2,000 miles of footpaths and is a favorite of mountain bikers.
    Gary Stoller, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Likewise, the internet has made fundraising much easier with the use of online payment methods, which are easy to set up and difficult to trace.
    Richard Frankel, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
  • While performance is a major part of their lives individually—Tracey becoming a chorus line dancer, the narrator becoming an assistant to a pop star—a performance element that is particularly striking here is the way Smith traces dance from past to present, from Africa through the diaspora.
    Lauren Morrow September 9, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Her bold spirit and belief in God's guidance have propelled her to pursue various impactful ventures.
    Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Cox had said on Wednesday that officials would pursue the death penalty against the shooting suspect.
    Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • These precautions help reduce the risk of electrical surges, as lightning can follow conductive pathways.
    Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025
  • To approximate those strand-sized pathways, the team fashioned channels in ice using human hair.
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Barnes & Noble is expanding its physical footprint to reach more readers.
    Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Jaonaay represents part of a new wave of Thai artists reshaping T-pop’s global footprint.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Trail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trail. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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