trail 1 of 2

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
Check the insulation in the attic for distinctive trails, as well as random smears of dirt on the outside of the home, which can point to one or more raccoons living in the house. Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2025 The trail is 102 miles long, stretching from Chipping Campden to Bath. Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
Verb
With just four days of availability during the week ended March 23, 2025, The Residence (released March 20) debuted as Netflix’s number two show, trailing only the juggernaut that was Adolescence. Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 3 July 2025 In April, Microsoft said revenue from Xbox content and services grew 8%, trailing overall growth of 13%. Jordan Novet, CNBC, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for trail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trail
Noun
  • In tests at Heathrow and at Singapore Changi Airport, Aimee has helped manage ground traffic and aircraft clearance, signaling a path forward for a possible hybrid human-machine collaboration.
    Adrienne Bernhard, Scientific American, 10 July 2025
  • Moving into hurricane season, NOAA announced the Defense Department would no longer share data from key weather satellites that track hurricane paths.
    Katharine Hayhoe, Time, 10 July 2025
Noun
  • Last month, Couture shared his excitement about the opportunity to take to the track in 2025.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 10 July 2025
  • The biennial event includes athletes competing in sports such as pickleball, track and field, basketball, table tennis, triathlon and more.
    Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • The hydraulic anti-roll can get slightly upset on bumpy roads, however, as a friend chasing me on a liter bike noted on a Malibu pullout.
    Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • However, the series main character, Mi-ji, has been able to move past the depression that kept her from chasing her ambitions for years.
    Kayti Burt, Time, 30 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
  • The ink spool could contain traces of the last words Lin or his daughter typed on the machine — meaning perhaps the inventor's own words are in his magical machine too.
    Emily Feng, NPR, 5 July 2025
  • Soil, too, collects more than trace amounts of perchlorates, along with metals.
    Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 4 July 2025
Verb
  • More Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Newsweek Geopolitical Shifts Jaishankar said the United States is bringing about a global change with a shift away from alliances and in which countries pursue their own interests more individualistically.
    Jennifer Cunningham, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
  • Clear federal rules and regulations for issuing stablecoins will massively boost credibility and allow America’s largest enterprises to participate and pursue technological innovations that could improve customer retention, reduce costs, and streamline processes and payments.
    Steven Dudash, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • That will cost $150,000 with another $150,000 needed for a pathway to and gathering area in front of the comfort station.
    Patricia Gallagher Newberry, The Enquirer, 4 July 2025
  • Basically, if this report is true, there is no pathway to Dallas acquiring James this season.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025
Noun
  • The city already received an emergency permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to rebuild the pier in the same footprint as before, Short told commissioners.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 9 July 2025
  • The Seahawks have steadily expanded their footprint in British Columbia, concentrating mostly on Vancouver, Whistler and Victoria, but also reaching into Alberta and Saskatchewan, hosting watch parties and flag football championships in both provinces.
    Tim Graham, New York Times, 9 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Trail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trail. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

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