trajectories

noun

plural of trajectory
as in paths
the curved course along which something (such as a rocket) moves through the air or through space the trajectory of the missile

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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 trajectories Called VFlash, the method allows vision-language models (VLMs) to generate complete robot trajectories and other spatial predictions in a single pass, rather than producing coordinates one at a time. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026 Its three stages, powered by Aerojet Rocketdyne solid rocket motors, was designed to reach orbit, rather than suborbital trajectories common to most sounding rockets. — Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 4 Nov. 2026 Their local rivalry might have continued if not for Russia launching its invasion of Ukraine and changing the trajectories of both their lives. — Megan Molteni, STAT, 2 Nov. 2026 The pairing isn’t quite as explosive as Hawkins and Cam Cook were for West Virginia, but both players can change the trajectories of games with their speed. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Oct. 2026 The two teams are on very different trajectories with the Steelers coming into the game with a 4-2 record. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026 Even within the highest echelons of wealth concentration, these two groups are on different trajectories. — Markus Schneider, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026 The One Media Capital Fund will target Italian and international film and TV production companies that shoot in Italy, supporting their operations, the development of new projects and providing guidance to their growth trajectories. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 20 Oct. 2026 As the two clubs meet on Wednesday night, each on different trajectories in football’s world of snakes and ladders, that question remains. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trajectories
  1. paths
  2. steps
  3. routes
  4. arcs
  5. orbits
  6. pathways
  7. ways
  8. tracks
Noun
  • Agencies should use disaggregated, intersectional data to identify barriers, set measurable goals and report progress; broaden recruitment, improve onboarding, promote civil-service exams, and create clearer paths for professional growth.
    — Aldrin Rafael Bonilla, New York Daily News, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Those accomplishments do not disappear simply because our professional paths are diverging.
    — Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of paths
Noun
  • Bendon wasn’t trying to get Ashbeck fired from her new employer, where Bendon had received care for 12 years, but asked the clinic to take steps to prevent unauthorized access to her records, Westbrook said.
    — Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The rail line, steps from the ocean in San Clemente, has been battered by storms and high tides.
    — Michele Gile, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of steps
Noun
  • Service animals are welcome, and routes throughout the resort are designed for ease of movement.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The guide had understood his skill level and showed him routes that were hard for him, but possible.
    — Merritt Tierce, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of routes
Noun
  • On her Instagram, photos of New York have been replaced with photos of Waikiki; in one of them, a rainbow arcs behind her.
    — Olivia Kan-Sperling, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The action is captured through remarkable camera work that follows Vrankova’s every move on the ice, often at dizzying speeds and arcs.
    — Will Tizard, Variety, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of arcs
Noun
  • The kick stage will be able to take big payloads from LEO to higher-energy orbits — for example, up to 8,800 pounds (4,000 kg) to geostationary orbit, a popular hangout for spy, communications and weather satellites that lies 22,236 miles (35,785 kilometers) above Earth.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 2 June 2026
  • Canadian and American researchers simulated satellite orbits in low Earth orbit and generated a metric, the CRASH Clock, that measures the number of days before collisions start happening if collision-avoidance maneuvers stop.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 21 Jan. 2026
Definition of orbits
Noun
  • Jan Barry, a co-founder of Vietnam Veterans Against the War, has made the point that there are now established pathways for antiwar veterans to speak out and that no similar tradition exists for dissenters within law enforcement.
    — Francisco Cantú, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
  • In general, the au pair program has been largely unaffected as federal officials have cracked down on other types of visas or immigration pathways, Jordan said.
    — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of pathways
Noun
  • This enables quantum systems to tackle certain problems in ways that may be difficult for classical computers.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Dailyacc Bandana Scarf Bold, patterned scarves are having a major moment this season—they’re one of the easiest ways to add a pop of color, pattern, and personality to an outfit without a lot of effort or investment.
    — Kate Donovan, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of ways
Noun
  • Played in sequence, tracks that are gems in their own right become nearly anonymous in situ.
    — Lisle Younger, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The man was headed to the nearby Twin Cities Rescue Mission when McCray approached him at knifepoint, ordering him onto the tracks with his legs over the rails, prosecutors said.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of tracks

Browse Nearby Words

traits
trajectories
trajectory
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Cite this Entry

“Trajectories.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trajectories. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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