TRAFFIC Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'traffic' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of traffic are business , commerce , industry , and trade . While all these words mean "activity concerned with the supplying and distribution of commodities," traffic applies to the operation and functioning of public carriers of goods and persons.

Q: Where would 'business' be a reasonable alternative to 'traffic'?

While the synonyms business and traffic are close in meaning, 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.

Q: How are the words 'commerce' and 'trade' related as synonyms of 'traffic'?

Both commerce and trade imply the exchange and transportation of commodities.

Q: When would 'industry' be a good substitute for 'traffic'?

The words industry and traffic 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.

traffic 1 of 2

noun

ˈtra-fik

Definition of traffic next

as in commerce

the buying and selling of goods especially on a large scale and between different places they contributed money to an environmental group that works to end the traffic of endangered animals

Synonyms & Similar Words

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traffic

2 of 2

verb

as in to trade

to carry on the business of buying and selling goods or other property arrested him for trafficking in drugs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word traffic distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of traffic are business, commerce, industry, and trade. While all these words mean "activity concerned with the supplying and distribution of commodities," traffic applies to the operation and functioning of public carriers of goods and persons.

Where would business be a reasonable alternative to traffic?

While the synonyms business and traffic are close in meaning, 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.

How are the words commerce and trade related as synonyms of traffic?

Both commerce and trade imply the exchange and transportation of commodities.

When would industry be a good substitute for traffic?

The words industry and traffic 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.

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 traffic

Noun

This past month, when the entire city was in the grip of basketball mania, my eyes have felt newly refreshed by the abundance of royal blue and traffic-cone orange on the streets. —

Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 3 July 2026 While alcohol, crowded waterways and heavy holiday traffic all contribute to an increase in emergency calls, fireworks generate the largest share of responses, according to authorities. —

Andrew Graham july 3, Sacbee.com, 3 July 2026

Verb

In 2006, Calderón had been arrested in a multicountry drug-trafficking investigation. —

Will Freeman, New Yorker, 30 June 2026 Jacinto is now an activist in her early 30s helping trafficking survivors like her. —

Michael Rios, CNN Money, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for traffic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for traffic

Noun

And so the Mississippi River has been this flow of commerce both up and down the river for a long time, but I was really saddened to hear how much of that commerce was people.

— Dana Taylor, USA Today, 3 July 2026
Amazon is also setting up 100 urban fulfilment centers that will stock apparel, electronics, jewelry, shoes, luggage, watches, wireless accessories, musical instruments and furniture for quick commerce orders.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 2 July 2026

Definition of commerce

Verb

Desperate for a big man, the Lakers instead traded to get the shooting guard out of Baylor.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
The teams traded chances, goals were called offside and there were near misses before Portugal finally broke through and tied the match up.

— Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 3 July 2026

Definition of trade

Noun

In addition to music and fireworks, Pittsburgh's Independence Day Celebration is set to feature family-friendly activities, food vendors, a vendor marketplace, a hot air balloon, a Ferris wheel, veterans wellness resources and more.

— Finch Walker, USA Today, 4 July 2026
The corporate leadership stated that utilizing additive manufacturing allows the organization to reduce the standard timelines required to bring new power generation designs to the commercial marketplace.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026

Definition of marketplace

Verb

Brown's future in Boston came into question when the Celtics reportedly attempted to deal him to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

— Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 2 July 2026
Standout deals for summer include 30% off the Fleur Leather Slide and 25% off the beloved and ultra-versatile Moab hiking shoes (in select colors).

— Madison Flager, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026