trailed

Definition of trailednext
past tense of trail
as in chased
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 trailed Illinois’ job growth last year trailed all other Midwestern states but Nebraska and Wisconsin. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026 In one analysis of social-media engagement among Democratic officials, Talarico trailed only Kamala Harris and Barack Obama. Tad Friend, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026 The two experienced guards were a combined 3-of-23 entering the fourth quarter as the Horned Frogs trailed 58-49. Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Feb. 2026 Undermanned Sacramento hustled its way back into the game and trailed by just one with less than five minutes remaining in the third quarter. CBS News, 22 Feb. 2026 The Buckeyes trailed 65-61 early in the fourth quarter before going on their decisive run. Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026 Minnesota started slow and trailed the host Badgers 18-8 late in the first quarter. Staff Report, Twin Cities, 16 Feb. 2026 Scheffler trailed by two strokes before unleashing a 6-iron on his 18th-hole approach, leaving just 2 feet, 7 inches for an eagle putt that was slightly complicated by wind gusts flapping his navy pants. Cam Inman, Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2026 After a back-and-forth first half that saw 16 lead changes, Duke led 41-33 at halftime and never trailed in the second half. ABC News, 15 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trailed
Verb
  • An immigration officer chased Aljorna who, according to the government, violently resisted arrest.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Tennessee Tech's starting pitcher lasted just ⅔ of an inning before being chased out.
    Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • One item seen in the doorbell camera footage that investigators may have tracked down is the suspect's black gloves.
    Edward Segarra, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Food safety For three decades, federal health officials tracked food poisoning infections caused by eight germs.
    Mike Stobbe, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Massiel Taveras was crowned Miss Dominican Republic in 2007 and has pursued acting since, finding success in the Latino market.
    Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Death, stomach loss for earlier patients Not every patient who died after an operation by Heider had pursued weight loss surgery.
    Amber Gaudet Updated February 20, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • What’s impressed Ottmann the most about Pomona’s current run is the degree to which the Panthers have followed Ponderosa’s two core pillars from a generation ago.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 22 Feb. 2026
  • The repeal followed Congress’s zeroing out of penalties for violating Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) targets as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
    Julian Torres, CNN Money, 22 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Officials who refused to be polygraphed were put on administrative leave; one of them was seen being escorted out of the building by security guards.
    Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Radziwill wrote that upon arrival on the island, guests had to present a special coin—a rare Indian nickel—or else they would be escorted away.
    Barry Levitt, Time, 12 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The investigation is continuing to determine whether any other cases can be traced to this infection.
    Paula Wethington, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
  • But as Rubio said, cowboy lineage can be traced to the Iberian Peninsula — as far back as the late medieval era, before Spain as a nation even existed.
    Foreign Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Shittu was accompanied to the club by his younger brother, Fawaz Shittu, to celebrate a friend’s birthday a day before their mother was due to arrive for a visit from their native Nigeria.
    Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026
  • While choice is strictly limited—two starters, two mains, cheese or dessert—the produce is exceptional, from juicy scallops to John Dory cooked with tangy sorrel and crunchy samphire, sea asparagus, accompanied by a seasonal pumpkin purée.
    John Brunton, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Trailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trailed. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.

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