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
The first family was recorded in October by a trail camera installed in Osage County, located in the north-central part of the state near Tulsa. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 June 2025 In December, another adult was spotted on a trail camera with three kittens in Cimarron County. Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2025
Verb
The stock finished the session down 1.2%, trailing the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite, which added 0.3%. Zev Fima, CNBC, 9 June 2025 Sly’s girlfriend, a striking black lady with high Indian cheekbones, trailed along behind him and patted his enormous Louis XV bouffant Afro into place. Timothy Crouse, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for trail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trail
Noun
  • Along the way, there are a few intersections with trails that head up the sides of the canyon, but continue on the path heading west.
    Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 June 2025
  • His On the Reckoning of Time contains a method for determining the date of Easter, knowledge of which was indispensable for precisely calculating sun positions and the path of the moon through the zodiac.
    Bernd Roeck June 16, Literary Hub, 16 June 2025
Noun
  • Now with a change of scenery, Jones could swoop in an attempt to get his career back on track with a new starting role.
    Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 June 2025
  • It was orchestrated by the team leaders to get things back on track.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 15 June 2025
Verb
  • In some tourist regions, emus have been known to chase people for food or become overly familiar – leading to head-butts, pecking or the occasional knockdown.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
  • But one of his greatest spiritual teachers was a companion who liked to chase ducks and steal Taylor’s underwear — and whose most prestigious award was being honored by a local newspaper as its Pet of the Week.
    John Blake, CNN Money, 8 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
  • More than 17 people were arrested as suspects in connection to the case after investigators found trace amounts of DNA on plastic bands tied around Kardashian's wrists.
    Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 11 June 2025
  • Consumers can see key product details such as COA’s, easily readable cannabinoid and terpene data, and supplemental product information directly sourced from the track and trace system.
    Peter Su, Rolling Stone, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • The cases remain in the initial stages of investigation, with no certainty that any criminal charges will be pursued.
    Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 9 June 2025
  • And, to be clear, there are some people who use protests like the ones against Trump’s immigration raids as a cover and excuse to pursue an extraneous agenda of violence and anarchy.
    Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
Noun
  • Targeting college students in New York City, with a particular focus on the City University of New York (CUNY), this program aims to dismantle long-standing barriers to entry into venture capital and create new pathways for underrepresented, local talent.
    Sindhya Valloppillil, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • That means expanding relevant support systems, ensuring Latino students see themselves in STEM leadership, and partnering with industry to provide meaningful career pathways.
    Dayna L. Martinez, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 June 2025
Noun
  • The company generated $20.8 billion in operating cash flow, up 12% from the previous year, which is likely to augment its plans to expand its global data center footprint.
    Ankita Dhawan, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
  • Looking ahead, Brett Bowman aims to expand Suncrest Capital’s footprint throughout the Central United States, scaling solutions to address the affordable housing shortage one neighborhood at a time.
    Jason Phillips, USA Today, 15 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Trail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trail. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.

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