INDUSTRY Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of industry are business , commerce , trade , and traffic . While all these words mean "activity concerned with the supplying and distribution of commodities," industry applies to the producing of commodities, especially by manufacturing or processing, usually on a large scale.

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

While the synonyms business and industry are close in meaning, 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: How do 'commerce' and 'trade' relate to one another, in the sense of 'industry'?

Both commerce and trade imply the exchange and transportation of commodities.

Q: When could 'traffic' be used to replace 'industry'?

The meanings of traffic and industry largely overlap; however, traffic applies to the operation and functioning of public carriers of goods and persons.

industry

noun

ˈin-(ˌ)də-strē

Definition of industry next

as in effort

attentive and persistent effort he isn't the smartest kid in class, but he gets the best grades by determined industry

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How is the word industry distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of industry are business, commerce, trade, and traffic. While all these words mean "activity concerned with the supplying and distribution of commodities," industry applies to the producing of commodities, especially by manufacturing or processing, usually on a large scale.

When might business be a better fit than industry?

While the synonyms business and industry are close in meaning, 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.

How do commerce and trade relate to one another, in the sense of industry?

Both commerce and trade imply the exchange and transportation of commodities.

When could traffic be used to replace industry?

The meanings of traffic and industry largely overlap; however, traffic applies to the operation and functioning of public carriers of goods and persons.

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 industry Companies across various industries have made efforts to remove PFAS from their products in recent years. —

Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 23 Jan. 2025 The awards, which are among the most prestigious in the U.S. culinary industry, are marking their 35th anniversary this year. —

Kayla Samoy, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2025 Many of the people in the TV and film industry impacted by the fires are not A-list celebrities, del Barco reminds. —

Brittney Melton, NPR, 23 Jan. 2025 There’s little reason to believe that less exclusivity in the industry is a bad thing. —

Paul Tassi, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for industry

Recent Examples of Synonyms for industry

Noun

The court’s decision foiled Knox’s last-ditch effort to completely clear herself of criminal wrongdoing in the case of Kercher’s slaying.

— Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 23 Jan. 2025
When asked about potential water supply issues, Kelliher said crews are fortunate to have direct access to Castaic Lake and other nearby reservoirs for their firefighting efforts.

— Brandon Miller, CNN, 23 Jan. 2025