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
Overall, my house is nice and clean, especially around the baseboard and perimeter, which always shows a dust trail on my dark floor. Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 19 May 2025 Detectives found a trail of marijuana up the stairs to an open Pringles can inside a third-floor apartment. Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025
Verb
But the home team trailed 2-0 early in the second half after a controversial Orlando goal by Luis Muriel from a deep pass by Orlando goalkeeper Pedro Gallese in the 43rd minute and another goal by Marco Pasalic at the 53-minute mark. Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 19 May 2025 By the start of the fourth quarter, the Sparks trailed by eight. Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for trail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trail
Noun
  • The Chinese government has put its economy on a path to capturing 45 percent of global manufacturing by 2030, up from just 6 percent in 2000, the U.N. projects; a move that will make China richer and therefore stronger.
    John Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
  • The full burst lasted 20 microseconds after the paths formed a lightning strike.
    Julian Dossett, Space.com, 23 May 2025
Noun
  • The boys chose the challenge on the track with a temperature of 140 degrees, which is above the level that can cause 2nd degree burns, CBS Austin reports.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 23 May 2025
  • One 90-second track includes his rant against President Donald Trump.
    Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • In the woods near their home, Viggo runs while Oscar chases him.
    Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 16 May 2025
  • The Detroit Lions will be chasing their third straight division title despite a wave of change following the offseason departures of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to become head coaches of the Bears and Jets, respectively.
    Mike Jones, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • And in Sri Lanka, the hotel group Resplendent Ceylon has formalized a network of 14 footpaths that cut through forests and tea fields.
    Mary Holland, Travel + Leisure, 13 Apr. 2025
  • The city’s roads and walkways are steep, bisected by narrow footpaths, all displaying wares or services for sale.
    Ben Ayers, Outside Online, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • Much of the tour’s aesthetic traces to Lauper’s love for art, museums and eye-popping fashion; the tour boasts original collaborations with Wurtzel, Siriano, Geoffrey Mac, Brian Burke and Yayoi Kusama.
    Joe Lynch, Billboard, 19 May 2025
  • Parachute Percale Sheet Set $269 $188 Parachute For subtle traces of butter yellow, try this percale set from Parachute that comes with one pillowcase, a flat sheet, and a top sheet beneath your choice of duvet.
    Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • During the mid to late 1980s, McGillis pursued roles on the stage, playing various roles in Shakespeare plays, including The Merchant of Venice and Twelfth Night.
    Georgia Slater, People.com, 16 May 2025
  • Officers pursued the suspect, repeatedly commanding him to drop his weapon, the release states.
    River Valley Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • The deals also married with Brighton’s global recruitment model of attracting young players via a clear and potentially speedy pathway into the first team, with an expectation of not standing in the way of further career progression at the right price and in the right circumstances.
    Andy Naylor, New York Times, 17 May 2025
  • Over the past two decades, further studies have only reinforced the link between loneliness and inflammatory pathways.
    Kim Samuel, Scientific American, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • These materials can then be used to make new batteries, reducing the need for mining and lowering the environmental footprint of EV production.
    Melanie Marshall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2025
  • This approach not only reduces bandwidth requirements but also decreases the overall energy footprint of AI systems.
    David Ly, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Trail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trail. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

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