1
as in outlines
to draw or make apparent the outline of
trace your hand onto this piece of paper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in tracks
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 trails
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 streets
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 paths
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 relics
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 glimmers
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 hints
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
7
as in footsteps
the mark or impression made by a foot
followed the traces of the deer into the deep woods
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of traces
Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
As Siâvash increasingly retreats into imaginary characters, the documentary traces a sibling relationship shaped and strained by displacement, set against a backdrop of escalating tension between Iran and the United States that carries personal consequences for both subjects.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026
George traces mentalism back to the Oracle of Delphi in ancient Greece, who purported to deliver divine — and cryptic — messages from Apollo.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 23 Apr. 2026
The resulting film captures Michael’s difficult relationship with his controlling father Joe (Colman Domingo), as part of the Jackson 5, and then traces his massive rise to fame through his solo career.
—Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 21 Apr. 2026
The show traces the life and career of Ringgold, who introduced Black women’s pictorial, narrative and craft traditions.
—La Jolla Light, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Lupines flourish in ditches and on highway embankments—especially north of Duluth along Highway 61, the Minnesota scenic byway that traces Lake Superior's north shore.
—Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Midwest Living, 20 Apr. 2026
The trend traces to 2025, when American gaming streamer IShowSpeed toured China and broadcast his genuine awe at its technological energy to millions of followers.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026
The airline’s history in Charlotte traces back to Piedmont Airlines, which made CLT a hub in 1982.
—Emily Broyles, Charlotte Observer, 17 Apr. 2026
Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
This assortment includes the Detox Pads, which gently remove all traces of makeup and impurities from the day and deep clean skin without stripping.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026
The archaeologists also noted traces of gold leaf on some of the mummies, suggesting elaborate funerary rituals.
—Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Scientists identified plant traces by sequencing microscopic DNA fragments found in dust and fibers collected from the Shroud, rather than discovering visible food remains.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2026
The Level 5 accident dumped radioactive contamination across Europe and it is thought that traces of isotope iodine-131 may have caused several hundred cancer diagnoses.
—Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
The discovery of the traces of the first troop camp marks a significant and groundbreaking moment in archaeological research.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 25 Apr. 2026
Early findings suggest that certain experiences cause synapses, the gaps between neurons where dendrites extend, to be tagged with elusive biochemical signatures called eligibility traces.
—Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 24 Apr. 2026
Illinois State Police have said toxicology tests found no traces of alcohol or drugs in her system.
—Victor Jacobo, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
This madness traces straight back to Khan’s war on companies — from soda bottlers to tech giants and even Uber-Lyft driver pay deals.
—Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
As Siâvash increasingly retreats into imaginary characters, the documentary traces a sibling relationship shaped and strained by displacement, set against a backdrop of escalating tension between Iran and the United States that carries personal consequences for both subjects.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026
George traces mentalism back to the Oracle of Delphi in ancient Greece, who purported to deliver divine — and cryptic — messages from Apollo.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 23 Apr. 2026
The resulting film captures Michael’s difficult relationship with his controlling father Joe (Colman Domingo), as part of the Jackson 5, and then traces his massive rise to fame through his solo career.
—Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 21 Apr. 2026
The show traces the life and career of Ringgold, who introduced Black women’s pictorial, narrative and craft traditions.
—La Jolla Light, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Lupines flourish in ditches and on highway embankments—especially north of Duluth along Highway 61, the Minnesota scenic byway that traces Lake Superior's north shore.
—Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Midwest Living, 20 Apr. 2026
The trend traces to 2025, when American gaming streamer IShowSpeed toured China and broadcast his genuine awe at its technological energy to millions of followers.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026
The airline’s history in Charlotte traces back to Piedmont Airlines, which made CLT a hub in 1982.
—Emily Broyles, Charlotte Observer, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
The History Behind America’s State Fair Tradition The American fair traces back to 1807, when Elkanah Watson, a banker and farmer in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, organized an exhibition to promote his sheep.
—Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
This assortment includes the Detox Pads, which gently remove all traces of makeup and impurities from the day and deep clean skin without stripping.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026
The archaeologists also noted traces of gold leaf on some of the mummies, suggesting elaborate funerary rituals.
—Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
Scientists identified plant traces by sequencing microscopic DNA fragments found in dust and fibers collected from the Shroud, rather than discovering visible food remains.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2026
The Level 5 accident dumped radioactive contamination across Europe and it is thought that traces of isotope iodine-131 may have caused several hundred cancer diagnoses.
—Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
The discovery of the traces of the first troop camp marks a significant and groundbreaking moment in archaeological research.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 25 Apr. 2026
Early findings suggest that certain experiences cause synapses, the gaps between neurons where dendrites extend, to be tagged with elusive biochemical signatures called eligibility traces.
—Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 24 Apr. 2026
Illinois State Police have said toxicology tests found no traces of alcohol or drugs in her system.
—Victor Jacobo, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for traces
Verb
-
Malaysia has highlighted the blue economy as a priority area in its most recent economic plan, which outlines the nation’s policy objectives through 2030.—
Angelica Ang,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Four physicians working in addiction medicine published an American Journal of Public Health editorial that outlines strategies for getting medication to people in recovery during natural disasters.—
Andrew Jones,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Every Friday morning, the weekly Fortune 500 Power Moves column tracks Fortune 500 company C-suite shifts—see the most recent edition.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Consider the kitchen, where the sun tracks across the island throughout the day thanks to the skylights above.—
Nick Mafi,
Architectural Digest,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Then there’s dog-friendly Kirk Park, which has not only a sandy lakefront but also many trails to explore.—
Kara Williams,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
-
There are also in-room massages, guided hikes through surrounding trails, and sound healing sessions.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
First, there are the big-name athletes to find and woo into competing on the streets of the UK’s capital, then the pace-makers, the notable debutants, and the tantalising head-to-heads to create; there’s the hotel bookings, the visas, the flights, the prize money and even bonuses to ponder over.—
Liam Tharme,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The mayor’s signature program was in Echo Park and Venice this week, bringing inside more than 40 Angelenos and clearing eight RVs and trailers off the streets.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
On Thursday night, after the special series of episodes where Ciara Miller crossed paths with Amanda Batula and West Wilson for the first time on camera since news of their relationship was confirmed, audio of the cast discussing the scandal leaked online.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian told Pakistani Prime Min ister Shehbaz Sharif that ongoing US actions were undermining trust and complicating paths to dialogue, according to Iran’s state broadcaster.—
Auzinea Bacon,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As the construction site lies between the city hall, which dates back to the Middle Ages, and the town’s medieval defenses, archaeologists expected to uncover historical relics.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The hotel is preserving relics from his time across the fort.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There are no easy answers in education, but there are glimmers of hope.—
Abby McCloskey,
Twin Cities,
12 Apr. 2026
-
While the storm is looming, there are new glimmers of possibility—friends can become lovers, strangers can become friends on the subway, the supermarket aisles are charged with meaning.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This desire to find connection in loss hints that death can often be more tangible to process than estrangement.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
-
After downplaying the prospect of a new album in recent interviews, Grande began posting hints to the contrary in March, like a flower emoji in her Instagram bio.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Traces.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/traces. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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