trail 1 of 2

noun

Definition of trailnext
1
as in path
a rough course or way formed by or as if by repeated footsteps took a trail through the woods to get to the main road

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in track
a mark or series of marks left on a surface by something that has passed along it the slugs left a slimy trail on the sidewalk

Synonyms & Similar Words

trail

2 of 2

verb

ˈtrāl How to pronounce trail (audio)
as in to track
to go after or on the track of we trailed our friend into the woods, inadvertently spoiling his plans for a solitary hike

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word trail distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of trail are chase, follow, and pursue. While all these words mean "to go after or on the track of something or someone," trail may stress a following of tracks or traces rather than a visible object.

trail deer
trailed a suspect across the country

When would chase be a good substitute for trail?

While in some cases nearly identical to trail, chase implies going swiftly after and trying to overtake something fleeing or running.

a dog chasing a cat

When is it sensible to use follow instead of trail?

The meanings of follow and trail largely overlap; however, follow puts less emphasis upon speed or intent to overtake.

friends followed me home in their car

Where would pursue be a reasonable alternative to trail?

The words pursue and trail can be used in similar contexts, but pursue suggests a continuing effort to overtake, reach, or attain.

pursued the criminal through narrow streets

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 trail
Noun
The trail camera in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic recorded a mother leopard, her three cubs and an unrelated male together in a sunny clearing, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Azerbaijan said in a March 2 Facebook post. — Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2025 The Vézère Valley has 420 miles of marked trails winding through forest and meadow. — Ashlea Halpern, AFAR Media, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
Former Vice President and 2024 presidential candidate Kamala Harris and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders trailed Ocasio-Cortez with 9% and 8% support, respectively, according to the poll. — Kate Linderman, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2025 Since 2000, there have been 16 Players Champions who trailed entering the final round. — Justin Ray, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for trail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trail
  1. path
  2. track
  3. chase
  4. footpath
  5. trace
  6. pursue
  7. pathway
  8. footprint
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
Definition of path
Noun
  • As is always the case with her stylistic adventures, the instrumental backing on the track is painstakingly authentic.
    — Ernesto Lechner, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2025
  • One way to stay on track is by automating monthly contributions from your checking account — 15% of your income is ideal, but even a smaller amount is a good start, especially earlier in life.
    — Mike Winters, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of track
Verb
  • Equally, especially after letdowns in the Champions League and the cup competitions, Díaz has more dreams to chase at Anfield, knowing that head coach Arne Slot’s promising project remains in the embryonic stages.
    — Henry Flynn, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Beckford had just been chased from the scene of a drug-den murder.
    — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of chase
Noun
  • The footpath, officially completed in 1937 with the help of Civilian Conservation Corps workers during the Great Depression, has since become a haven for hikers, offering a respite from modern life.
    — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025
  • However, many locales around the world don't allow e-unis on public roads, footpaths or even bike lanes, restricting their use to private land or maybe business parks and university campuses with permission.
    — Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 24 Feb. 2025
Definition of footpath
Noun
  • Add the flour and stir very gently until no traces of it remain. 4: Swipe a large pat of butter over the hot pan to coat it generously.
    — The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
  • In Panem, the setting for The Hunger Games which is a fictional post-apocalyptic version of North America, even Katniss and Peeta view a Capitol-cut version of Haymitch's games 25 years later, with no trace of the rebel plan detailed in this novel.
    — Dhanika Pineda, NPR, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of trace
Verb
  • Gallo requested his release from the White Sox in order to pursue a career as a pitcher.
    — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Consolidating security products and pursuing a platform approach is the best way for security leaders to manage this dynamic.
    — Jonathan Fischbein, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of pursue
Noun
  • By her own admission, her stock car experience was limited, but she’d been invited by Live Fast Motorsports, a team which gives new talent a pathway into the sport.
    — Don Riddell, CNN, 19 Mar. 2025
  • These practices limit women's ability to secure capital for education, homeownership or entrepreneurship—all crucial pathways to building financial security.
    — Swati Tyagi, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of pathway
Noun
  • More recently, the brand has added an environmental footprint and investment in clinical trials of its final formulations to its transparency roster.
    — Emma Sandler, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
  • America's navy, while stretched, has a global footprint and 65 submarines of various classes, all of which are nuclear-powered, plus 11 aircraft carriers.
    — Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of footprint

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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on trail

Nglish: Translation of trail for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about trail

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