TRAILING Synonyms: 36 Similar and Opposite Words

trailing 1 of 2

noun

as in pursuit

the act of going after or in the tracks of another the detectives' trailing of the suspect led them to the stolen merchandise

Synonyms & Similar Words

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trailing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of trail

as in chasing

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

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 trailing

Noun

Though polls leading up to the election showed Cornyn trailing, most failed to accurately predict the sweeping scale of the incumbent’s loss. —

Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 27 May 2026 Via MoneyPuck Score effects were a factor here; leading teams often go into a defensive shell to protect that edge, while trailing teams can pump up the shots and risk to get back into the game. —

Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 20 May 2026 Former resistance puts strong support in the low $60s, though the 50-day, or 10-week, moving average (MA) can serve as a trailing stop near $66. —

Katie Stockton, CNBC, 18 May 2026 With 36 seconds left and Atlanta trailing by one, Jordin Canada pounced on an A'ja Wilson turnover, drove the length of the floor and converted a running layup to give the Dream an 84-83 lead. —

Christopher Harris, CBS News, 17 May 2026 Their vigorous trailing habit creates a soft waterfall effect that suits hanging baskets. —

Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 14 May 2026 Ahead of the March Republican and Democratic primaries, the University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs poll showed a seven-point difference between the two candidates in a potential November 2026 matchup, with Hinojosa trailing. —

Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 13 May 2026 The investigation revealed a large amount of blood located at the residence where Limon and Abugharbieh lived with a third roommate, per the affidavit, which alleged investigators found blood trailing from the entry of the apartment, through the kitchen, to Abugharbieh's room. —

Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026 He was lifted after that, having thrown 82 pitches and with the Padres trailing by two runs. —

Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026

Verb

Moore tried it again in Game 7 of the World Series, with another seventh-inning single while trailing by a run. —

Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 29 May 2026 With regard to the housing market, to return to the Texas comparison, New York is trailing. —

Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 May 2026 The Lionsgate library counts more than 20,000 film & television titles which mint $1 billion in trailing 12-month revenues. —

Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 28 May 2026 Over the last 13 minutes of the second period and the first eight minutes of the third stanza, Colorado, while trailing 1-0 in a do-or-die contest, got one shot off. —

Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 27 May 2026 Head coach John Harbaugh gave his first-team offense with the ball on the 46-yard line, trailing the game by one point on 3rd and 10 with 14 seconds remaining. —

Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 22 May 2026 The first three hitters in the lineup reached to load the bases in the third inning with the team trailing by a run at Wrigley Field. —

Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2026 That helps explain why its stock price is down 13% this year, trailing all of its megacap peers. —

Jordan Novet, CNBC, 22 May 2026 Texas Tech seized momentum early after trailing 1-0. —

Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for trailing

Noun

Activision says the campaign storyline will take players from trench warfare in Korea to close-quarters battles in New York, to high-speed pursuits through Paris, SAS night raids in Mumbai, and city-wide assaults to reclaim territory.

— Jennifer Maas, Variety, 28 May 2026
Historically, the company’s largest pursuits were in the city center, including the Peachtree Center complex, the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, the Hyatt Regency Atlanta and the city’s second-tallest building, Truist Plaza.

— Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 28 May 2026