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
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Recent Examples of trace
Usa Today,
USA Today,
1 July 2026
This tradition can be traced to the mingling of British and West African influences that began in the late 1600s.
—
Amethyst Ganaway,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 July 2026
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
29 June 2026
Chalky lotions have morphed into invisible gels; heavy, greasy layers now blend away without a trace.
—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for trace
Verb
Located in Point State Park at the confluence of the city’s three rivers, the museum traces western Pennsylvania’s pivotal role in the French and Indian War, the American Revolution and the early expansion of the United States.
—
Usa Today,
USA Today,
1 July 2026
This tradition can be traced to the mingling of British and West African influences that began in the late 1600s.
—
Amethyst Ganaway,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
1 July 2026
Noun
Blood Will Tell traces how Trung had long looked up to Anh and followed his lead, from their childhood in Vietnam to their new lives in California.
—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
29 June 2026
Chalky lotions have morphed into invisible gels; heavy, greasy layers now blend away without a trace.
—
Ariel Wodarcyk,
InStyle,
28 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for trace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trace
Verb
-
Victor Willis, Village People’s lead singer, dies Victor Willis, lead singer of the Village People who helped define the disco movement of the 1970s, died June 30.
-
Instead of looking only for escapements or technical innovation, Newman encourages appreciation of cases, dials, proportions, engraving, and overall design—the same qualities that define today’s most desirable independent watches.
Verb
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As for the hosts, mosquitoes track people (and their blood) down by detecting carbon dioxide, body heat, sweat and body odor.
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Weeth said bootleggers purchase fireworks from manufacturers in China and who, for a fee, package the fireworks in colorful branding, which are more difficult to track and often lack proper warnings.
Noun
-
Scouts report back, and the rest of the colony follows the trail to your table.
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Visitors can explore a network of scenic loop trails that wind through salt marshes and mangrove habitats, or opt for shorter, accessible paths with sweeping views over the Indian River Lagoon.
Noun
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Go wine tasting right in town, or do your research and drive the Nevada County foothill roads to a few local wineries with pretty tasting rooms.
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Entire buildings and roads were submerged in Accra on Monday, cutting off access to several areas of the Ghanian capital and in the neighboring city of Tema.
Noun
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From there, Florida's history followed the path more familiar to Americans, eventually becoming the 27th state in 1845.
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Infosys chose that path, committing to retrain more than 250,000 staff instead of pursuing mass layoffs.
Noun
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There are also permanent upgrades to health and attack power, as well as rare relics that enable unique skills, like multiple jumps.
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Museum of Miami The Museum of Miami, formerly HistoryMiami, holds the relics and artifacts that were excavated at the Miami Circle.
Noun
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Their main flaw is that the protagonists rarely display a shred of agency or activity.
-
The rest of the band followed his lead, particularly Green, a relentless head-banger, dropping to her knees to become one with the feedback and leaning back into beatific shred-faces.
Noun
-
Four years later, there’s not a hint of complacency or dejection in France.
-
An abundance of hints, clues and other helpful items await, not to mention a bonus Custom Wordle and plenty more.
Cite this Entry
“Trace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trace. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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