Synonyms of trails

trails 1 of 2

noun

plural of trail

1

as in paths

a rough course or way formed by or as if by repeated footsteps

took a trail through the woods to get to the main road

Synonyms & Similar Words

• paths
• footpaths
• pathways
• tracks
• roads
• walkways
• routes
• traces
• streets
• passageways
• roadways
• alleys
• thoroughfares
• byways
• runs
• alleyways
• lanes
• towpaths
• bridle paths
• shortcuts
• bypaths
• runways
• cutoffs
• passages
• passes
• byroads
• rows
• bystreets

2

as in tracks

a mark or series of marks left on a surface by something that has passed along it

the slugs left a slimy trail on the sidewalk

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tracks
• traces
• footprints
• paths
• signs
• residues
• steps
• shadows
• residuals
• footsteps
• imprints
• ruts
• reminders
• treads
• remnants
• artifacts
• prints
• indications
• scents
• clues
• relics
• evidences
• cues
• tokens
• hoofprints
• suggestions
• footmarks
• vestiges
• remains
• remainders
• hints
• leavings
• leads
• intimations
• pugs
• spoor
• telltales
• inklings
• whiffs

trails

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of trail

as in chases

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

• tracks
• chases
• pursues
• traces
• follows
• courses
• tails
• escorts
• dogs
• shadows
• tags
• accompanies
• hounds
• runs after
• runs
• bird-dogs
• watches
• hunts
• eyes
• seeks
• searches (for)
• chaperones
• observes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• leads
• guides
• pilots
• heads

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of trails

Noun

The Perseids are particularly fast and often leave persistent glowing trails. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026

The park recently expanded to incorporate the former Whirlpool and Devil’s Hole state parks, creating nearly five miles of continuous trails and overlooks along the Niagara Gorge. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2026

Okemo hovers just above Ludlow center, in the winter outlines of trails stand out clear and white. — Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 2 Aug. 2026

The initial phase of the project, which consists of a series of passive walking trails, picnic areas and an outdoor classroom, is already under construction and is expected to open early next year. — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2026

Consequently, many of these landscapes preserve forests, grasslands and trails within easy reach of millions of Americans. — Todd Lookingbill, The Conversation, 31 July 2026

However, there are plenty of boat routes, hiking paths, biking trails and auto tours in different parts of the swamp. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 27 July 2026

The outdoorsy traveler hiking the gorges in Crete or the trails in Andros should bring a pair of sturdy shoes, a hat for sun protection, and tons of SPF. — Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 27 July 2026

The 3,934-acre park boasts a multitude of trails for hiking and biking. — Zuri Primos july 26, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026

Verb

The United States owns the frontier, the best models come from a handful of American labs, and China trails by a year or more. — Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

At that size, the business trails Amazon Web Services while remaining larger than Alphabet's Google Cloud. — Jordan Novet, CNBC, 29 July 2026

This is a franchise record on payroll spending, but still trails some tier-two markets such as Toronto and Philadelphia by a significant amount. — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 28 July 2026

That means Langley trails just seven weeks for the top spot overall, regardless of qualifiers. — David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026

Production in the region trails the five-year average by about 36 percent. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 23 July 2026

On top of that, Messi now trails Mbappé by two goals in this year’s Golden Boot race and one goal in the all-time World Cup list. — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

The Biden administration, by contrast, had used the same program to fund hundreds of millions of dollars in bike lanes and trails nationwide. — Joel Rose, NPR, 16 July 2026

The visit comes as Garrity trails Shapiro by roughly 20 points, raising questions about how much political influence DeSantis carries in a battleground state where his 2024 presidential campaign struggled to break through. — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 14 July 2026