tread 1 of 2

verb

ˈtred How to pronounce tread (audio)
Definition of treadnext
as in to walk
to go on foot to protect the fragile environment of the beach dunes, we must tread cautiously and lightly

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

tread

2 of 2

noun

as in footstep

Related Words

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 tread
Verb
That said, the USMNT's postgame presser won't be the only instance where a team hopes World Cup reporters will tread lightly. — Callie Fin, USA Today, 26 June 2026 Stephan did not tread the traditional route into football management. — Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 26 June 2026
Noun
The flip flops have a contoured shape for comfortable experience, and the sneaker tread provides a durable grip. — Terri Williams, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 Now, with the federal and state government yanking back plenty of that funding and directly barring the city from enacting some of its more aggressive climate plans, Higgins is left with a narrow road to tread toward progress. — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for tread
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tread
  1. walk
  2. footstep
  3. path
  4. footprint
  5. trail
  6. print
  7. step
  8. rut
Verb
  • The Angels then chased Eovaldi when Logan O’Hoppe walked and Wade Meckler singled, driving in a run as the top of the order came to the plate.
    — Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 10 July 2026
  • Instead of relying solely on manual walk-around inspections, crews can assign inspection missions to the robotic platforms.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026
Definition of walk
Noun
  • Eliana is following in her mom’s footsteps, pursuing musical theater herself.
    — Janey Wetzel, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026
  • With his visit, Leo followed in the footsteps of Pope Francis, who made the plight of migrants and refugees a priority of his pontificate.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026
Definition of footstep
Noun
  • In the episode, Monsignor Sarno — who spent 40 years working with the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints — said canonization is meant to highlight an individual’s life path as an example for conscience in their specific circumstance.
    — Vivian Wilson, Twin Cities, 8 July 2026
  • Germany, with its robust manufacturing economy, ramped up its defense spending with a clear path to reaching the 5% target.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
Definition of path
Noun
  • Its designs were suited to its urban New England market — three stories high with a narrow footprint.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • While cementing his handprints and footprints at the TCL Chinese Theatre last June, Bardem thanked his wife and children for standing by him throughout his career.
    — Charlie Carballo, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Definition of footprint
Noun
  • The British Museum move, meanwhile, is a public happening organized as part of a citywide art trail to promote a world tour around BTS’s latest album.
    — Andy Battaglia, ARTnews.com, 10 July 2026
  • In Gardiner and nearby New Paltz, walking, hiking, and biking trails are easy to come by, with the Shawangunk Mountains right there.
    — Jess Feldman, Travel + Leisure, 10 July 2026
Definition of trail
Noun
  • Opt for high-quality sets in bold prints and keep them in constant rotation.
    — Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 8 July 2026
  • The singer also shared several photos of herself, including one of her seemingly posing nude while holding a white T-shirt with the Music, Fashion, Film track list in black print.
    — Preezy Brown, Rolling Stone, 7 July 2026
Definition of print
Noun
  • Some were finely cut feathers; others, more surprisingly, were denim in various washes that created a kind of dimensional pointillist effect unlike anything else photographed on the red steps of the Palais.
    — Amy Verner, Vogue, 6 July 2026
  • From bringing back college football to taking major steps with Madden franchise mode, the developer/publisher is delivering solid virtual gridiron experiences.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of step
Noun
  • The Braves are still trying to wiggle out of a mid-season rut, and have shaved their lead in the NL East to just three games ahead of the Phillies.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 6 July 2026
  • Perhaps, as that early Japanese translator suggested, all Americans are indeed created in the same rut.
    — Teresa M. Bejan, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026
Definition of rut

Browse Nearby Words

treachery
tread
treading
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tread.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tread. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on tread

Nglish: Translation of tread for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All