trade 1 of 2

1
as in exchange
a giving or taking of one thing of value in return for another when the other team unexpectedly offered to hand over its top pitcher for our star shortstop, our coach agreed to the trade

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2
as in craft
an occupation requiring skillful use of the hands a youth eager to learn the trade of cabinetmaking

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4
as in commerce
the buying and selling of goods especially on a large scale and between different places a bill regulating trade with that country

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5
as in sale
the transfer of ownership of something from one person to another for a price the trade of all of her holdings in the company just before the stock plunged in value immediately aroused suspicions

Synonyms & Similar Words

trade

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word trade distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of trade are business, commerce, industry, 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.

In what contexts can business take the place of trade?

The words business and trade can be used in similar contexts, but 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.

When could industry be used to replace trade?

The words industry and trade 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 can traffic be used instead of trade?

While in some cases nearly identical to trade, 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 trade
Noun
Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. Jeff Marks, CNBC, 17 Jan. 2025 China recorded one of its slowest rates of economic growth in decades last year, data showed Friday, as leaders nervously eye a potential trade standoff with incoming U.S. president Donald Trump. Beatrice Nolan, Fortune Asia, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
Weeks after returning from the third of those suspensions, Waiters was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies, with the Heat receiving Andre Iguodala and Jae Crowder in return. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 17 Jan. 2025 But by April 2024, those figures began to creep back up as Israel and Iran traded fire and Tel Aviv went on the offensive against Hezbollah. Dahlia Scheindlin / Tel Aviv, TIME, 17 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for trade 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trade
Noun
  • Hamas released three women to Israel, its first batch of hostages, in exchange for Palestinians prisoners to be set free by Israel.
    Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 20 Jan. 2025
  • While there are many, many models of potential dark matter candidates, many interact with regular particles through exchanges involving the Higgs boson — a fundamental particle that interacts with almost all other particles and, through those interactions, imbues those particles with mass.
    Paul Sutter, Space.com, 20 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • It’ll be replaced by Lost Shaker Bar & Grill, which plans to infuse the dive bar with craft cocktails and elevated comfort food.
    Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Table Talk Games Restaurant Critic In-Training Chef David Kuo, head chef and owner of West Los Angeles’ Little Fatty Taiwanese soul food restaurant, Fatty Mart market hall, and award-winning craft cocktail destination, Accomplice Bar.
    Lanee Lee, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • With programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and the new Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan, individuals in qualifying professions or financial situations can reduce or eliminate their debt.
    Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Using her profession and platform for good has been a continuous theme of Beattie’s career.
    Ali Rampling, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • New York billionaire Howard Lutnick helped raise millions for Trump's campaign and will serve as commerce secretary.
    Jeremy Yurow, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Jesus drove the money changers from the Temple, condemning the blending of commerce and worship, and yet Trump is reportedly charging up to $200,000 for political donors to pray with him.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Nordstrom’s sale features swoon-worthy deals on shoes, bags, and jewelry for every occasion, with prices up to 50 percent off.
    Nina Derwin, Southern Living, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Instead of initiating a sale, however, TikTok pursued a legal challenge on First Amendment grounds that ended in failure at the Supreme Court on Friday.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 19 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The historic Los Angeles fires dealt another blow to local film crews who were already struggling to find work.
    Don Lee, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2025
  • The ceasefire deal, as announced by the mediators, has three phases.
    Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Long, communal tables have been swapped out for two- and four-tops, and a back garden is currently off-limits while being renovated.
    Benjy Egel, Sacramento Bee, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Over glasses of Ruinart champagne, glamorous content creators Jessica Wang, Hannah Bronfman, and Tina Leung swapped notes on their jewelry selections.
    Freya Drohan, Vogue, 16 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Tickets also include entry to the Faith Chapel and Mosaic Gallery, an interactive museum highlighting both art and history.
    Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 19 Jan. 2025
  • A lot of people say, ‘Well, suffering is good for art.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 19 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near trade

Cite this Entry

“Trade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trade. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.

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