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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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
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Recent Examples of trailing
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
Right now, only the team that’s trailing can attempt an onside kick.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
Shutter speeds typically range from 10 to 25 seconds when using wide-angle lenses, depending on focal length (longer lenses require shorter exposures to avoid star trailing).
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 10 Mar. 2026
Jason Cooke, Boston Herald, 1 May 2026
The stock fell 15% this year through Thursday’s close, trailing the more than 5% rise in the benchmark S&P 500 Index.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 1 May 2026
And the latest third-period call ever came in 1985, when the Capitals’ Bobby Carpenter was awarded a chance against the Islanders’ Billy Smith with just 30 seconds left in a game Washington was trailing by a goal.
—Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Try Southern Living's Little Lucky series or a trailing lantana that stays compact enough for containers.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 Apr. 2026
Thyme is a large group of herbaceous, evergreen plants with both upright and trailing or spreading varieties.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Apr. 2026
Then-French President François Hollande waved away the Cuban bodyguard trailing the two leaders and the moment became fodder for the country’s late-night comedians.
—Patrick Oppmann, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
The most recent Emerson College poll showed Becerra received a 15-point bump among Democrats, trailing only Steyer.
—Grace Hase, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026
That’s been enough for Minnesota to seize a 2-1 lead after trailing by 19 points early in Game 2.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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
Right now, only the team that’s trailing can attempt an onside kick.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
Shutter speeds typically range from 10 to 25 seconds when using wide-angle lenses, depending on focal length (longer lenses require shorter exposures to avoid star trailing).
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
Eldridge again set up the score, throwing on the brakes entering the offensive zone along the blue line and hitting a trailing Rattray with a pass.
—Jason Cooke, Boston Herald, 1 May 2026
The stock fell 15% this year through Thursday’s close, trailing the more than 5% rise in the benchmark S&P 500 Index.
—Bloomberg, Oc Register, 1 May 2026
And the latest third-period call ever came in 1985, when the Capitals’ Bobby Carpenter was awarded a chance against the Islanders’ Billy Smith with just 30 seconds left in a game Washington was trailing by a goal.
—Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Try Southern Living's Little Lucky series or a trailing lantana that stays compact enough for containers.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 Apr. 2026
Thyme is a large group of herbaceous, evergreen plants with both upright and trailing or spreading varieties.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Apr. 2026
Then-French President François Hollande waved away the Cuban bodyguard trailing the two leaders and the moment became fodder for the country’s late-night comedians.
—Patrick Oppmann, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
The most recent Emerson College poll showed Becerra received a 15-point bump among Democrats, trailing only Steyer.
—Grace Hase, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026
That’s been enough for Minnesota to seize a 2-1 lead after trailing by 19 points early in Game 2.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trailing
Noun
-
My pursuit would be to advocate and fight to strengthen emissions standards, expand clean‑energy investment, seek to fund climate‑resilient infrastructure, protect natural resources and integrate a holistic approach to climate change mitigation and adoption at our local level.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
The suspect fled, and after a brief foot pursuit, officers arrested him.—
Sydney Barragan,
Daily News,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
That makes their key players especially appealing for managers chasing rank or mini-league glory.—
Abdul Rehman,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
-
The book's main character — Cheese — was inspired by her real-life rescue dog, who was known for chasing squirrels and bringing energy into her life.—
Wakisha Bailey,
CBS News,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
After arriving in the Air Force’s care in May 2025, the plane was taken apart to ensure there were no listening or tracking devices hidden inside, a major concern of critics who objected to the gifted aircraft on security grounds.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
2 May 2026
-
Since 2021, the Tlingit couple has led small-group bear tracking excursions through Wilderness Island Tours, offering guests a deeper, more meaningful experience.—
Debbie Olsen,
Travel + Leisure,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
More recently, nearby Shasta County has become a hotbed of election denialism and MAGA politics, with its Board of Supervisors voting in 2023 to end the use of Dominion Voting Systems machines in favor of pursuing a hand-counting system.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
If financial barriers prevent students from pursuing advanced creative education, the long-term consequences will be felt in studios, and design firms across the state.—
Lola W. Brabham,
New York Daily News,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Curated by Our Editors Ultimately, public health workers got control of the outbreak through testing, contact tracing, isolating of sick and exposed individuals and vaccination.—
Tanya Lewis,
Scientific American,
29 Apr. 2026
-
While similar tracing has been a part of golf and tennis coverage for years, the thinness and speed of fencing blades required special know-how to digitally follow.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Gloria said her ex-boyfriend had been following and harassing her.—
Paul LaRosa,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
-
The Powerball jackpot has reset to $20 million, or $9 million in cash, ahead of the May 2 drawing following a $143 million win on Wednesday, April 29.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
After all, Zinc, phosphate, and even coal mines all over the globe have abundant rare earth elements in their tailings that are comparable to low-grade conventional deposits.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Twin Metals wants to build an underground copper-nickel mine, processing facility and tailings storage facility along Birch Lake, which flows into the BWCAW via the Kawishiwi River.—
Jimmy Lovrien,
Twin Cities,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
According to the affidavit, Alvarez-Budow followed the student into the hallway and placed green painter's tape over his mouth before escorting him back into the classroom in front of other students.—
Peter D'Oench,
CBS News,
5 May 2026
-
Those missions – called Operation Earnest Will – involved several US vessels escorting a convoy of just a few tankers.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Trailing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trailing. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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