TRAIL Synonyms: 87 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

trail 1 of 2

noun

Definition of trail

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

Relevance

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

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

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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

Those roads and trails are often where vehicles become vulnerable to artillery, drones, mines, and small arms fire. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2026 After leaving the Bay Area, Sutton traded coastal scenery for trails, including the American River Trail in the Sacramento area and the Johnny Cash Trail in Folsom. — Marlee Ginter, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026

Verb

The race was called shortly after polls closed as Lamont led with nearly 67% of the votes and Elliott trailed, securing only 33%. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2026 The 10 Most Expensive Homes Ever Sold Elsewhere, a sitting room/lounge opens to a garden trailed by rock formations, while natural light pools into the media room through clerestory windows. — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trail

Recent Examples of Synonyms for trail

Noun

The Road Ahead Stripe has agreed to buy a position in the path where AI money moves, and the price says the market now values that position above much of the traffic crossing it.

— Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Reynolds has been crafty on the base paths, recording nine steals on nine attempts.

— Data Skrive, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of path

Noun

Walker then sent an off-speed pitch from Andrés Muñoz (5-5) to the train tracks atop left field to give the Astros the win.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Lead singer and guitarist Marisa Dabice blazed through 10 punky tracks, which, given her strong voice and hooky songwriting, surely converted some early arrivals.

— William Earl, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of track

Verb

The Play-In Tournament is not eagerly being chased, and the league’s broadcasting partners will look elsewhere in the near future.

— Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Absorptive art beckons the viewer—who chases after that which ignores it, a tale as old as time—whereas the Minimalism Fried attacked was very big, very look-at-me, very exhibitionist.

— Carlos Valladares, ARTnews.com, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of chase

Noun

The Sconset Bluff Walk is a popular scenic footpath near yards of private cottages.

— Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026
The vehicle crashed into the crowd in Tiergarten Park, according to law enforcement, an area along a footpath within the park and near to the parade's end.

— Kevin Shalvey, ABC News, 26 July 2026

Definition of footpath

Noun

The film draws on archival materials, interviews with residents, and choreographed performances to explore how traces of that industrial past continue to shape the neighborhood today.

— Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 13 Aug. 2026
His team soon discovered trace amounts of oxygen in deep groundwater from around the world.

— James Dinneen, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of trace

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
Existing reactors get new fuel The technical pathway now brings together fuel fabrication, reactor hardware, irradiation testing and independent review.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of pathway

Noun

The majority of home construction across the state continues to be single-family homes — with increasingly large footprints — or the classic four- or five-story apartment building, usually for rent, Fulton said.

— Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026
The 20,000 screen Middle Kingdom release followed a high-profile Beijing promotional tour and secured an extensive Imax footprint across the country.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of footprint

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“Trail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trail. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of trail

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verb

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