1
as in to define
to draw or make apparent the outline of
trace your hand onto this piece of paper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to track
to go after or on the track of
police traced the burglar back to his apartment, where they discovered a ton of stolen loot
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in trail
a mark or series of marks left on a surface by something that has passed along it
the wolf came and went without leaving a trace on the hard, dry ground
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in road
a passage cleared for public vehicular travel
an old trace that dates back to the days of the covered wagon
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in path
a rough course or way formed by or as if by repeated footsteps
stay on the trace, or you'll get lost in these thick woods
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in relic
a tiny often physical indication of something lost or vanished
a ship that appears to have vanished without a trace on the high seas
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in shred
a very small amount
doctors detected only a trace of bacteria in the blood sample but put the patient on antibiotics just in case
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in hint
an almost imperceptible sign of something
there didn't seem to be so much as a trace of the truth to anything he said
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 trace
Julius Miller, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2025
New York Helicopter traced its financial troubles to an order by New York City to cut their trips by 50% in tandem with an increase in the fees to land at the heliport in lower Manhattan.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2025
Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025
The far East Bay saw trace amounts of rain, between about one-tenth of an inch and one-third of an inch, according to the weather service.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trace
Verb
Its decline can be traced back to a couple of key events, including an omission from Irish schools from 1831 to 1878 and the Great Famine of 1845 — which ripped through poorer, rural areas, where the language was still prominent, resulting in a rapid decline of speakers.
—Julius Miller, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2025
New York Helicopter traced its financial troubles to an order by New York City to cut their trips by 50% in tandem with an increase in the fees to land at the heliport in lower Manhattan.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2025
Noun
While the dramedy has some smart, if overwritten, dialogue and traces of worthwhile commentary, fans of Tropper’s work on Banshee and Warrior are likely to find this a somewhat flat and domesticated version of his voice.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025
The far East Bay saw trace amounts of rain, between about one-tenth of an inch and one-third of an inch, according to the weather service.
—Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trace
Verb
-
The rebels have loosely defined what constitutes an Israeli ship, meaning many vessels could be targeted, some of which have had little or no connection to Israel.—
Jon Gambrell,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2025
-
This translates into Jan having to collaborate with many versions of himself that have unique skills and far too many conflicting personalities defined by past events.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Selma and Elisa, having tracked Nina and the girls down in France, are on their way to find them and retrieve Lucia.—
Meg Walters,
Glamour,
17 Apr. 2025
-
Storms may become widespread through the evening and overnight, with heavy rainfall and flooding in areas with multiple storms that track over the same location.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
It can be reached by walking about a half-mile west on the unpaved upper trail from the western parking area at Black Miners Bar.—
Hector Amezcua,
Sacbee.com,
13 Apr. 2025
-
Buy a peck from the shed or U-pick, visit the education center and butterfly garden, listen to live music, and follow the walking trails throughout the property.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The Illinois Department of Transportation owns the road and any changes would require its approval.—
Hank Beckman,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2025
-
For instance, Pakistan has been active in China’s signature belt and road initiative which involves the construction of multi-billion dollar infrastructure projects across countries.—
Amala Balakrishner,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
While inflation cooled in March, reaching a six-month low, the path has been uneven, and Powell has faced criticism from both the left and the right over whether the Fed acted too slowly—or too aggressively.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
17 Apr. 2025
-
They are already scheduled to appear before the board on June 13 as part of a comprehensive risk assessment report ordered by Newsom, who is considering the brothers’ clemency request – a separate potential path out of prison.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Perched on the edge of a cliff in Cundinamarca, Colombia, the Hotel Del Salto is a relic of the opulence and horrors of colonialism.—
Josh Rivera,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2025
-
The current tariff gap is a relic of that old trade regime.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Cover and cook until roast is tender and shreds easily, about 5 hours on HIGH or 8 hours on LOW.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
8 Apr. 2025
-
But Illinois lawmakers have yet to provide one shred of evidence that any individual’s benefits fall afoul of the IRS rules.—
Ted Dabrowski,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
California beach towns — like Ventura, Pismo Beach or Encinitas — tend to be outdoorsy and mellow with a hint of boho energy.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
14 Apr. 2025
-
There were other hints too: sensory issues common to people on the autism spectrum and their painful hyperawareness of other people’s micro-expressions and body language.—
Zing Tsjeng,
Vogue,
11 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Trace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trace. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share