COMMERCE Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'commerce' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of commerce are business , industry , trade , and traffic . While all these words mean "activity concerned with the supplying and distribution of commodities," commerce and trade imply the exchange and transportation of commodities.

Q: When might 'business' be a better fit than 'commerce'?

The meanings of business and commerce largely overlap; however, business may be an inclusive term but specifically designates the activities of those engaged in the purchase or sale of commodities or in related financial transactions.

Q: Where would 'industry' be a reasonable alternative to 'commerce'?

The words industry and commerce are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, industry applies to the producing of commodities, especially by manufacturing or processing, usually on a large scale.

Q: When would 'traffic' be a good substitute for 'commerce'?

The synonyms traffic and commerce are sometimes interchangeable, but traffic applies to the operation and functioning of public carriers of goods and persons.

commerce

noun

ˈkä-(ˌ)mərs

Definition of commerce next

as in marketplace

the buying and selling of goods especially on a large scale and between different places a government agency in charge of regulating interstate commerce

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in interaction

doings between individuals or groups when I was doing outside consulting for the company, I never had much commerce with the in-house staff

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

nonintercourse

as in sex

sexual union involving penetration of the vagina by the penis rumors of commerce between the lady and the knight spread throughout the court

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word commerce distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of commerce are business, industry, trade, and traffic. While all these words mean "activity concerned with the supplying and distribution of commodities," commerce and trade imply the exchange and transportation of commodities.

When might business be a better fit than commerce?

The meanings of business and commerce largely overlap; however, business may be an inclusive term but specifically designates the activities of those engaged in the purchase or sale of commodities or in related financial transactions.

Where would industry be a reasonable alternative to commerce?

The words industry and commerce are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, industry applies to the producing of commodities, especially by manufacturing or processing, usually on a large scale.

When would traffic be a good substitute for commerce?

The synonyms traffic and commerce are sometimes interchangeable, but traffic applies to the operation and functioning of public carriers of goods and persons.

Examples 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 commerce Firework is billed to be the world’s leading video commerce solution provider for brands and retailers. —

Jennifer Weil, WWD, 14 Jan. 2025 There are lots of sheer shades and scents to choose from: My favorite is the clear vanilla balm, which smells subtly sweet, while SELF’s senior commerce editor adores the red, fruity-scented Cherry shade. —

Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 14 Jan. 2025 Chief among them is Tesla and X owner Elon Musk, who was tasked with co-leading the Department of Government Efficiency, while others have more traditional Cabinet roles, such as Howard Lutnick, Trump’s pick for commerce secretary, and Linda McMahon, the education secretary nominee. —

Mabinty Quarshie, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 13 Jan. 2025 The deal was facilitated by Howard Lutnick, the billionaire CEO of financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald (which provides banking services for, and has reportedly invested in, Tether) and Donald Trump’s nominee for commerce secretary. —

Kyle Khan-Mullins, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for commerce

Recent Examples of Synonyms for commerce

Noun

While current data show that youth use remains low, the FDA is closely monitoring the marketplace and is committed to taking action, as appropriate, to best protect public health.

— Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
Sales through the company’s third-party marketplace, Target Plus, grew close to 50% in that time.

— Melissa Repko, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2025