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.
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Recent Examples of trace
Michelle Steel, Oc Register, 9 June 2025
The others include the Eminem-starrer 8 Mile, and Straight Outta Compton traced the roots of the seminal rap group N.W.A and its rise to become one of the most influential acts of the gangsta rap and West Coast hip hop subgenres.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 9 June 2025
Laura Neilson, Vogue, 30 May 2025
Several people reported feeling sick in the Netherlands after consuming Haribo fizzy candy that contained traces of cannabis.
—Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for trace
Verb
Many of those cases can be traced back to a student visa at a University of California or California State University campus.
—Michelle Steel, Oc Register, 9 June 2025
The others include the Eminem-starrer 8 Mile, and Straight Outta Compton traced the roots of the seminal rap group N.W.A and its rise to become one of the most influential acts of the gangsta rap and West Coast hip hop subgenres.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 9 June 2025
Noun
Those lines are traces of veins that no longer function.
—Laura Neilson, Vogue, 30 May 2025
Several people reported feeling sick in the Netherlands after consuming Haribo fizzy candy that contained traces of cannabis.
—Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for trace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trace
Verb
-
The program defined orphans as children who had lost one or both parents to AIDS, and the children did not necessarily have HIV themselves.—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
13 June 2025
-
The edges of the mole are irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined.—
Sarah Jividen,
Health,
13 June 2025
Verb
-
The Exeter Police Department said in a statement that emergency crews responded to a wooded area of the train tracks outbound from the Newfields Road trestle on Monday, June 2, after train officials reported an incident.—
David Chiu,
People.com,
4 June 2025
-
Over three years, researchers planted more than 8,000 trees and shrubs across four square miles in a double-blind study and tracked residents’ health.—
Bill Frist,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
Volunteers sought to clear trails Cuyamaca Rancho State Park’s trails maintenance volunteer unit is looking for volunteers to help with trail maintenance in Cuyamaca.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 June 2025
-
Watch a trail cam video capture one bear's scratch routine.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
13 June 2025
Noun
-
These disruptions often result in road closures, traffic spikes and delays across key transit routes, severely affecting delivery schedules.—
Clemente Theotokis,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
Meanwhile, their last seven road games, the Panthers have scored, counting backwards, five; three; five; five; five; six; and six.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
9 June 2025
Noun
-
Investigators believed the person who killed Betsy Faria took the dog outside after she was stabbed, the probable cause said, and blood was cleaned up from the path between the victim and the patio door.—
Kate Linderman,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2025
-
Divorce can feel like an octopus whose tentacles are hard at work sucking in whatever prey is in its path.—
Lisa Zeiderman,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
Without a clear plan, Soldier Field risks becoming a costly relic — an iconic venue with no clear purpose.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2025
-
What followed was a decade-long conversion that turned the industrial relic into a one-of-a-kind six-bedroom, five-bathroom residence with just over 4,000 square feet of living space.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
Sincerely, People with functioning eyes and a shred of honesty.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 June 2025
-
Please be advised that the dress code is either pastel-Easter-egg chic or ripped black shreds and absolutely nothing in between.—
Caroline Framke,
Vulture,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
There’s been speculation in the Russian and Western media about areas for possible negotiation, and the outcome of the Istanbul talks are being closely watched for any hints of flexibility.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
2 June 2025
-
Here is what the judges had to say about it: Aromas of delicate agave and hints of herbs provide an inviting nose.—
Hudson Lindenberger,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Trace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trace. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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