1
as in outlines
to draw or make apparent the outline of
trace your hand onto this piece of paper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in tracks
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 trails
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 streets
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 paths
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 relics
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 glimmers
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 hints
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 traces
Derek Saul, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
This supports the likelihood that the image is a fabrication that traces to a single source.
—Andre Byik, USA TODAY, 23 Dec. 2024
Jasmine moans with pleasure as Gino traces her legs with his tongue.
—Abigail Adams, People.com, 22 Dec. 2024
Directed by Barry Jenkins and featuring songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the film traces how Mufasa came to be king of the Pride Lands, and why Scar ended up so bitter and vengeful toward his older brother.
—Ashley Lee, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2024
Moore meticulously traces their rise, from the groundbreaking success of their first album, to the creative shifts in De La Soul Is Dead and Stakes Is High.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 13 Dec. 2024
Keys traces some of the current problems back to the financial crisis of 2008.
—Tonya Mosley, NPR, 11 Dec. 2024
Ball traces Posen’s more glamorous turn to his having attended Saint Ann’s School in Brooklyn, and having a friend circle that included Schnabel and Claire Danes.
—Irina Aleksander, Vogue, 11 Dec. 2024
Both are strong indications that the image is a fabrication that traces to a single source.
—Joedy McCreary, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024
Verb
Beyond jolly attitudes among fund managers and other market participants, the phenomenon traces back to low trading volume and a lack of potentially harmful economic and earnings reports, though jolly attitudes among investors.
—Derek Saul, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
This supports the likelihood that the image is a fabrication that traces to a single source.
—Andre Byik, USA TODAY, 23 Dec. 2024
Jasmine moans with pleasure as Gino traces her legs with his tongue.
—Abigail Adams, People.com, 22 Dec. 2024
Directed by Barry Jenkins and featuring songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the film traces how Mufasa came to be king of the Pride Lands, and why Scar ended up so bitter and vengeful toward his older brother.
—Ashley Lee, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2024
Moore meticulously traces their rise, from the groundbreaking success of their first album, to the creative shifts in De La Soul Is Dead and Stakes Is High.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 13 Dec. 2024
Keys traces some of the current problems back to the financial crisis of 2008.
—Tonya Mosley, NPR, 11 Dec. 2024
Ball traces Posen’s more glamorous turn to his having attended Saint Ann’s School in Brooklyn, and having a friend circle that included Schnabel and Claire Danes.
—Irina Aleksander, Vogue, 11 Dec. 2024
Both are strong indications that the image is a fabrication that traces to a single source.
—Joedy McCreary, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for traces
Verb
-
In this political analysis, Carter — who paved the way for the Camp David Accords — outlines the historical and religious context behind the conflict and tensions in the Middle East.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
30 Dec. 2024
-
The county’s long-term Tourism Master Plan, which outlines a 20-year vision for sustainable tourism development, aims to retain the growth experienced during the years after the COVID-19 pandemic and continue building on that momentum.—
Abigail Hasebroock,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
His father, John Carro, was the first Puerto Rican to sit on New York's appellate bench, and Gregory has followed in his footsteps, making a name for himself with a reputation for being tough, particularly on bail decisions.—
Hannah Parry,
Newsweek,
24 Dec. 2024
-
Knox is following in his dad's footsteps by playing basketball.—
Yasmin Garaad,
People.com,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Whether mentoring rising entrepreneurs or speaking at industry conferences, DJ's dedication to helping others achieve their goals defines his approach to business.—
Kyle J. Russell,
USA TODAY,
5 Jan. 2025
-
The latest example defines Hartford in a way that exudes quality and travels well; very well, in fact.—
Bernard Kavaler,
Hartford Courant,
5 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Big vehicles with big environmental footprints Heavy trucks have an outsized effect on both climate change and human health.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
23 Dec. 2024
-
But in 1948, a series of mysterious clues—unrecognized bird calls and unusual footprints—near Lake Te Anau rekindled hope.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
22 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
On Monday, crews are continuing to work to clear the roads as temperatures sits near zero with negative wind chills.—
Noelle Alviz-Gransee,
Kansas City Star,
6 Jan. 2025
-
Crews are working to clear snow and ice from roads after blizzard conditions Sunday brought 8-12 inches of snow in various parts of the metro, according to the National Weather Service in Kansas City.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
6 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The brothers -- who were convicted in the 1990s for the 1989 murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez -- have three possible paths to freedom.—
Emily Shapiro,
ABC News,
26 Dec. 2024
-
Organizations should create personalized learning paths, starting with fundamental AI concepts and gradually progressing to more advanced applications.—
Kara Dennison, SPHR, CPRW, EC,
Forbes,
26 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
But the Giants are part of the story once again as Barkley pursues Dickerson’s record.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
23 Dec. 2024
-
Today, Mexican food—and most especially tortillas—are mainstays of the American diet even as Washington pursues policies to keep actual Mexicans out of the country.—
Kristen V. Brown,
The Atlantic,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The audience follows the journey of pink soldier No-eul (Park Gyu-young).—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
26 Dec. 2024
-
Sleep duration, like most behaviors, follows a bell curve.—
Marla Broadfoot,
Smithsonian Magazine,
26 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Traces.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/traces. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share