Definition of tradenext
1
as in exchange
a giving or taking of one thing of value in return for another when the other team unexpectedly offered to hand over its top pitcher for our star shortstop, our coach agreed to the trade

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in craft
an occupation requiring skillful use of the hands a youth eager to learn the trade of cabinetmaking

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4
as in commerce
the buying and selling of goods especially on a large scale and between different places a bill regulating trade with that country

Synonyms & Similar Words

5
as in sale
the transfer of ownership of something from one person to another for a price the trade of all of her holdings in the company just before the stock plunged in value immediately aroused suspicions

Synonyms & Similar Words

trade

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word trade distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of trade are business, commerce, industry, and traffic. While all these words mean "activity concerned with the supplying and distribution of commodities," commerce and trade imply the exchange and transportation of commodities.

In what contexts can business take the place of trade?

The words business and trade can be used in similar contexts, but business may be an inclusive term but specifically designates the activities of those engaged in the purchase or sale of commodities or in related financial transactions.

When could industry be used to replace trade?

The words industry and trade are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, industry applies to the producing of commodities, especially by manufacturing or processing, usually on a large scale.

When can traffic be used instead of trade?

While in some cases nearly identical to trade, traffic applies to the operation and functioning of public carriers of goods and persons.

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 trade
Noun
For decades, Beijing has used trade not only as a means to generate economic growth but also as a geopolitical tool to attract investment, strengthen its industrial base, expand its economy, and support its military. Bill Cassidy, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2026 The Sox acquired Urquidy, who has pitched parts of seven seasons in the big leagues, in a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 26 for minor-league right-hander Félix Doroteo. Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
The games will be Devers’ first in Boston since June 2025, when he was traded by the Red Sox to the Giants for Jose Bello, James Tibbs III, Kyle Harrison and Jordan Hicks. Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026 In June, the Clippers agreed to trade Leonard to the Toronto Raptors. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trade
Recent Examples of Synonyms for trade
Noun
  • Students who took the stand described a heated exchange over Anthony’s refusal on a rainy spring day to leave a tent that belonged to Metcalf’s team.
    ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The exchange's strength is not only limited to IPOs, Chan pointed out, but also follow-on offerings.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 20 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • For California's craft distilleries, the ability to ship directly to customers has become an important way to reach consumers beyond their tasting rooms and local restaurants.
    Darrielle Fair, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The drones were among 791 Ukrainian craft reported downed by the Russian Defense Ministry overnight.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • But the numbers in that study are the profession telling on itself.
    Gregg Mojica, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Michiganders have also broadly supported raising teacher pay in recent years, particularly for those just entering the profession.
    Jason Burns, The Conversation, 17 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Farmers blocked the highways leading into the city while demonstrators erected barricades throughout Cochabamba, occupied the central plaza, and halted transportation and commerce.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Redefining How Fashion Is Bought If the early wave of e-commerce was about access and the mobile era was about convenience, the next phase, agentic commerce, will be defined by confidence.
    Footwear News, Footwear News, 18 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • While sedan sales continue to flag globally, premium SUVs remain resilient.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Within the last week, two club sales highlight the differences between MLB and the NBA.
    Maury Brown, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The war has dealt another major blow to Iran’s economy, deepening the state of economic crisis the country was already in.
    Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • With a new television rights deal to be brokered by the Premier League within the next two years, the value of its members will likely increase.
    Simon Hughes, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Other reports show scammers swapping out the recruiter's name and contact information while keeping the basic offer intact.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Xander literally split into his good and bad qualities, Faith and Buffy, already foils, swapping bodies, the Buffybot, Joan the Vampire Slayer, and so on—and doubling is of course a classic literary trope.
    Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • That's especially true this summer, which marks the 75th anniversary of Edinburgh Fringe, the world’s biggest arts festival.
    Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
  • This October, a brand-new contemporary art platform dedicated to showcasing the work of artists from Southeast Asia will debut in Kuala Lumpur.
    News Desk, Artforum, 17 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Trade.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trade. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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