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
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
-
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defined a heat wave as a period of abnormally and uncomfortably hot and usually humid weather that lasts at least two days.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 July 2025
-
If the Western frontier defined American optimism in the 19th century, the suburban frontier defined it in the 20th.—
Marina Bolotnikova,
Vox,
7 July 2025
Verb
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Analysis of data from NASA's Land Data operation Products Evaluation, which tracks research satellite maneuvers, reveals at least seven occasions where NASA’s Terra and Aqua climate satellites lost data while having to avoid space debris.—
Tom Brown,
Space.com,
28 June 2025
-
His name was not immediately disclosed as cops track down family members.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
28 June 2025
Noun
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The unspoiled nature and mountain views drew him in and between the hiking paths, equestrian trails, an overnight camping facility and 40 miles of class A trout streams there’s always something for the Orrs to get into.—
Mike Dojc,
Forbes.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
-
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
-
People have died in Kerr County and roads were flooding in Kerrville, a city of 25,000 people about 60 miles northwest of San Antonio, authorities said.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
5 July 2025
Noun
-
Storm tracker This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
28 June 2025
-
As with any major legislation, the path forward is shaped as much by politics as by policy.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
Noun
-
What Forecast Probability Might Look Like In 2040 By 2040, the familiar single-number percentage forecast may feel like a relic.—
Jim Foerster,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
Is this experience a relic or replica of a bygone age?—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
28 June 2025
Noun
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Athletes and coaches are loath to admit even a shred of positive in any defeat, let alone in the immediate aftermath, but if ever the moral victory existed, can’t Inter Miami claim some of that even after a 4-0 defeat?—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
29 June 2025
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Still, in a shred of good news, other figures showed that businesses are still investing, despite the persistent uncertainty over Trump’s on-again, off-again tariffs and the potential impact of his massive tax and spending bill currently being reviewed by the US Senate.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
26 June 2025
Noun
-
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
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Featuring a cool ranch flavor, with hints of garlic and onion.—
Cheryl V. Jackson,
IndyStar,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Trace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://x0upouf933.proxynodejs.usequeue.com/thesaurus/trace. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
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