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trace

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noun

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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

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as in footstep
the mark or impression made by a foot followed the traces of the deer into the deep woods

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word trace distinct from other similar nouns?

The words track and vestige are common synonyms of trace. While all three words mean "a perceptible sign made by something that has passed," trace may suggest any line, mark, or discernible effect.

the killer left no traces

When could track be used to replace trace?

The synonyms track and trace are sometimes interchangeable, but track implies a continuous line that can be followed.

the fossilized tracks of dinosaurs

When might vestige be a better fit than trace?

The words vestige and trace can be used in similar contexts, but vestige applies to a tangible reminder such as a fragment or remnant of what is past and gone.

boulders that are vestiges of the last ice age

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 trace
Verb
The diverse cultures of Kansas City come together in this parade in the form of lowriders, high-energy drill teams , drum corps and floats packed with families who trace their roots to Ireland. The Kansas City Star and, Kansas City Star, 17 Mar. 2025 The other half of my heritage traces back to Igbo culture, originating from Southeast Nigeria, a country famous for its bronze and terracotta art, breathtaking landscapes and vibrant Afrobeats scene. Ranyechi Udemezue, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2025
Noun
No small tail flickered out of sight and no trace of perforation was visible. Hazlitt, 12 Mar. 2025 Yet, the origins of the Pasha trace back decades prior. Cait Bazemore, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for trace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trace
Verb
  • The original music video is basically a love letter to the sandwich itself, packed with shoutouts to favorite bodegas, playful debates over prices, and the kind of everyday moments that define a New York morning.
    Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • The lid remains fixed and firm, and Marion’s enthusiasm and zest to achieve has also defined the program in short order.
    Joe Davidson, Sacramento Bee, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The office also oversees a large data collection project that tracks disparities in resources, course access and discipline for students of different racial and socioeconomic groups.
    Annie Ma and Collin Binkley, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025
  • The firm, which has raised $25 million, has developed a helmet that can read brain waves and track eye movements, part of a brain-computer interface market that could grow to $80 billion by 2035, according to Morgan Stanley.
    Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Stops along the trail will highlight the surrounding forest, the bordering Mountain Island Lake, the cotton plantation fields and the plantation farmstead and include signs providing information and historical context.
    Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Enjoy the views of the canyons below from the rim trail, or take the 2.5-mile loop trail to see canyons one through nine.
    Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • New York has completed the first leg of its road back-to-back.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 20 Mar. 2025
  • If no shelter is available avoid trees, power lines, and the side of the road.
    KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • News filtered through of Vinicius Junior missing a penalty, but with no further goal flashes, the conversations about who was most wanted in the next round boiled down to Real bringing the glamour Arsenal have so missed, but Atletico maybe providing a less daunting path to the next round.
    Amy Lawrence, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Clients want more immediate impact, greater efficiency and a clearer path to ROI, but many feel unprepared to handle the complexity that comes with these demands.
    Orla Murphy, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Researchers also found additional relics like stone tools made from flint and quartz, as well as animal bones displaying cut marks.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Far from being a relic or a measure in need of hasty correction, GDP remains an essential gauge of how much a society is able to produce and ultimately consume.
    James Broughel, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • When the last shreds of sunlight vanish, everyone pulls their car up to the field and turns on their headlights.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Waste management giant Veolia shreds blades into small pieces that go in kilns to replace the coal, sand and clay required to make cement.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Here are some hints for today’s Quordle game, followed by the answers: What Are Today’s Quordle Hints?
    Kris Holt, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Our seven-part guide has helpful hints to achieve better sleep. CNN — I’m captivated by my new personal health tracker, a Christmas gift from my husband.
    Sandee LaMotte, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Trace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trace. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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