traffic 1 of 2

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

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
Air traffic was briefly halted as a precaution at the airport, but operations have since resumed, the official said. Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 1 Mar. 2025 The intrigue: The switch to ICE making more arrests now than CBP isn't surprising since there is no lower border traffic, but also fewer people even trying to travel through the Darién Gap, Boston College Law School professor Daniel Kanstroom tells Axios. Russell Contreras, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
One of them, the Sinaloa cartel, is considered among the biggest criminal forces in the hemisphere, primarily trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and other narcotics internationally. Whitney Eulich, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 Feb. 2025 Combs is accused of orchestrating the conspiracy in the case — filed in the Southern District of New York in September— alleging that the 55-year-old fallen hip-hop icon kidnapped, drugged and at times trafficked them across state lines. Elizabeth Keogh, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for traffic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for traffic
Noun
  • Embassies house officers from the military, intelligence, law enforcement, health, commerce, trade, treasury and other agencies, all of whom monitor developments in the host nation and work with local officials to counter everything from terrorism to infectious disease to collapsing currencies.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 7 Mar. 2025
  • And studio executives really are the inflection point between the show and the business and between art and commerce.
    Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Smith eventually won the trust of Carroll and became the starter in 2022 after the Seahawks traded Wilson.
    The Athletic NFL Staff and more, The Athletic, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Mainland markets also traded sideways, following Hong Kong.
    Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • With 12 stages of music, a bustling marketplace of over 60 craft and food vendors and dedicated spaces for kids’ activities, there’s truly something for everyone.
    Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2025
  • This isn’t the first time that Fanatics has partnered with another marketplace to cross-list its product.
    Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • But tensions between Trump and Zelensky rose after Trump opened a dialogue with Putin over negotiating a ceasefire deal without initially including Ukraine in the talks.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The trade for Jackson comes a year to the day after general manager Ryan Poles dealt a fifth-round pick to the Buffalo Bills for veteran guard Ryan Bates.
    Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Traffic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/traffic. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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