footpaths

noun

plural of footpath
as in trails
a rough course or way formed by or as if by repeated footsteps found the footpath leading down into the valley

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 footpaths According to the National Park Service, the footpaths through the forested ridgetops of Pennsylvania are among the most popular. — Idra Novey, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026 Eschewing fences and pavement in favor of natural footpaths lined with brambles and shrubs, these slender pathways provide epic sea views while leaving the ancestral homes of other animals intact. — Literary Hub, 11 June 2026 The Uganda-Congo border is several hundred miles long and crossed by numerous footpaths beyond formal border posts, which many people use daily to visit family or to trade. — Katrine L. Wallace, The Conversation, 29 May 2026 The border between Uganda and Congo is several hundred miles long and crossed by numerous footpaths beyond formal border posts. — Rodney Muhumuza, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026 The Uganda-Congo border is several hundred miles long and crossed by numerous footpaths beyond formal border posts. — CBS News, 27 May 2026 Narrow cobblestone laneways, pastel-hued shops, and footpaths meandering past stone houses with tiny backyard vineyards—and hardly other tourists in sight—lend a sense of discovery to daily strolls on this side of the lake. — Lisa Kadane, Travel + Leisure, 1 May 2026 Just south of downtown San Jose, about 100 people live on the banks of Coyote Creek, where footpaths and improvised bridges connect a community of tents and wooden shacks — the city’s last sprawling homeless encampment. — Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026 An aerial view from a chopper showed mostly footpaths with limited access by road for vehicles. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for footpaths
  1. trails
  2. paths
  3. pathways
Noun
  • Most reached the region by steamship to Skagway or nearby Dyea, Alaska, before attempting to cross the Coast Mountains via the White Pass or Chilkoot trails.
    — Bailey Berg, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Warning signs have been posted at the Prospect Heights trailhead, the departmet said, adding that hikers should stay off closed trails.
    — Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of trails
Noun
  • The Broncos’ offensive line consistently won the line of scrimmage, clearing paths for Denver running backs to gash the Falcons’ defense.
    — Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Furthermore, individuals are taking greater ownership of their career development, often planning beyond a single employer and exploring non-linear paths or side hustles.
    — Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of paths
Noun
  • Accessibility Because the property is spread across historic adobe buildings with uneven pathways, stairs, and narrow passages, accessibility can vary significantly by room category.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The models themselves are doing less and less to redirect them to appropriate care pathways.
    — Arya Rao, STAT, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of pathways

Browse Nearby Words

footpath
footpaths
footprint
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Footpaths.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/footpaths. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on footpaths

Nglish: Translation of footpaths for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of rigmarole

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All