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
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Recent Examples of trace
Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 July 2025
The researchers concluded that 80% of his genetic material came from ancient people in North Africa while 20% traced back to people in West Asia and the Mesopotamia region.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 2 July 2025
Brayden Garcia
july 2, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2025
The site, which dates to around 4700 to 3700 B.C.E., also contains traces of a prehistoric settlement, per UNESCO.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for trace
Verb
Their genetic analysis linked 80 percent of his DNA to North Africa, while the remaining 20 percent traces to the Mesopotamian Fertile Crescent near present-day Iraq.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 July 2025
The researchers concluded that 80% of his genetic material came from ancient people in North Africa while 20% traced back to people in West Asia and the Mesopotamia region.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 2 July 2025
Noun
On Tuesday, July 1, the NWS’ record-keeping station at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport recorded trace amounts of rainfall, which is any quantity below 0.01 inches.
—Brayden Garcia
july 2, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2025
The site, which dates to around 4700 to 3700 B.C.E., also contains traces of a prehistoric settlement, per UNESCO.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for trace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trace
Verb
-
Changeable tastes and desires define your next four months.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
7 July 2025
-
Tons of shoppers are going after this Maybelline liquid blush that provides a natural yet pigmented flush, as well as this CoverGirl mascara that lengthens and defines lashes in one fell swoop.—
Clara McMahon,
People.com,
7 July 2025
Verb
-
Last week, an undercover police officer reportedly purchased meth from Chaparro, and authorities proceeded to secure a court order to track his pickup truck, FOX 9 reported, citing the criminal complaint.—
Sophia Compton,
FOXNews.com,
10 July 2025
-
Officers are trying to track down everyone who was involved to understand exactly what happened.—
Staff,
Oc Register,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
Visitors can enjoy outdoor recreation at sites like Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Grand Island National Recreation Area and Hiawatha National Forest, including hiking trails, Munising Falls, lakefront sandy beaches, boat and kayak tours and historic lighthouses.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
7 July 2025
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Tucked into Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (U.P. for short), this former logging community blends rich history with small-town appeal and unspoiled natural beauty, with easy access to forested trails, wildlife habitats, and quiet stretches of shoreline.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice said most remaining rescues are being attempted at camp sites, but they are isolated because of road damage.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
5 July 2025
-
The northernmost portion of the path cuts through Macken Park before moving to the road as the park ends at Clark Ferguson Drive.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
5 July 2025
Noun
-
In tests at Heathrow and at Singapore Changi Airport, Aimee has helped manage ground traffic and aircraft clearance, signaling a path forward for a possible hybrid human-machine collaboration.—
Adrienne Bernhard,
Scientific American,
10 July 2025
-
Moving into hurricane season, NOAA announced the Defense Department would no longer share data from key weather satellites that track hurricane paths.—
Katharine Hayhoe,
Time,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
The SaaS model, once revolutionary, is now a relic.—
Deepinder Singh Sethi,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
Her job was, in her estimation, a relic of a different time — the business no longer relies on broadcast network casting directors to discover talent through global searches and talent holding deals.—
Lacey Rose,
HollywoodReporter,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
Zoé | 2024 | Canada | Rémi St-Michel | Midwest Premiere | The remaining shreds of Zoe’s mind desperately cling to her vague memories of better feelings.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
25 June 2025
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To date, despite all these ideas, there hasn’t been a single shred of solid evidence for the existence of axions, which naturally drops them down a peg or two on the credibility scale.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
Featuring a cool ranch flavor, with hints of garlic and onion.—
Cheryl V. Jackson,
IndyStar,
8 July 2025
-
Here are some hints for today’s Quordle game, followed by the answers: What Are Today’s Quordle Hints?—
Kris Holt,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Trace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trace. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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