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

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 Zachary Bolduc was the trailing forward. —

Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 11 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 Place one tall plant in the back, one medium plant in front of it and one trailing or low plant at the base. —

Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2026 Such was the case at Lincoln-Way West on Friday when Balta came up with two on and two out and Lincoln-Way East trailing by one run. —

Tony Baranek, Chicago Tribune, 18 Apr. 2026 The Padres won a game after entering the ninth inning trailing by four-plus runs for the first time since June 14, 2019. —

ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026 In the opening salvo, the Ducks drew first blood but went into the break trailing, also engaging in a pair of fights. —

Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 13 Apr. 2026

Verb

The Tempo didn’t make things easy, cutting the deficit to two points late and later trailing by just three with 31 seconds remaining and possession of the ball. —

Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2026 Last week, the American Hotel & Lodging Association reported hotel bookings for most host cities have tracked below initial forecasts, with particular weakness seen in Kansas City, where as many as 90% of respondents said sales were trailing a typical summer. —

Rob Wile, NBC news, 14 May 2026 His score came courtesy of Nonso Adimabua, who intercepted a pass in the box intended for Seattle goalkeeper Andrew Thomas, and fed a trailing Fernandez behind him for the finish to give the visitors a stunning 1-0 lead. —

Jon Becker, Mercury News, 14 May 2026 California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, who’s been trailing in the polls, was invited but had not confirmed his participation as of Wednesday afternoon, according to CBS. —

Linh Tat, Daily News, 14 May 2026 Minnesota sits in a precarious situation in the Western Conference semifinals, trailing 3-2 against a San Antonio Spurs team that, by all accounts, has been the superior squad in this series. —

Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 14 May 2026 The Panthers entered the final race of the evening trailing 62-59, but finished with 69 points, while Niceville was second with 64. —

Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 9 May 2026 The Sun managed to keep pace with New York in the second quarter, only getting outscored by six points after trailing by 23 at the end of the first. —

Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2026 The White Sox were flirting with first place in the American League Central on Tuesday, trailing the Cleveland Guardians by a half-game. —

Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for trailing

Noun

Allin, showing his guts, kept his pursuit of glory.

— Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
Certainly like Trump in his first race for the presidency, Pratt is upping his brand (and book sales) in the process of his electoral pursuits.

— Dominic Patten, Deadline, 14 May 2026