TRAFFIC Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'traffic' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of traffic are business , commerce , industry , and trade . While all these words mean "activity concerned with the supplying and distribution of commodities," traffic applies to the operation and functioning of public carriers of goods and persons.

Q: Where would 'business' be a reasonable alternative to 'traffic'?

While the synonyms business and traffic are close in meaning, 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.

Q: How are the words 'commerce' and 'trade' related as synonyms of 'traffic'?

Both commerce and trade imply the exchange and transportation of commodities.

Q: When would 'industry' be a good substitute for 'traffic'?

The words industry and traffic 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.

traffic 1 of 2

noun

ˈtra-fik

Definition of traffic

as in commerce

the buying and selling of goods especially on a large scale and between different places they contributed money to an environmental group that works to end the traffic of endangered animals

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traffic

2 of 2

verb

as in to trade

to carry on the business of buying and selling goods or other property arrested him for trafficking in drugs

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How is the word traffic distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of traffic are business, commerce, industry, and trade. While all these words mean "activity concerned with the supplying and distribution of commodities," traffic applies to the operation and functioning of public carriers of goods and persons.

Where would business be a reasonable alternative to traffic?

While the synonyms business and traffic are close in meaning, 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.

How are the words commerce and trade related as synonyms of traffic?

Both commerce and trade imply the exchange and transportation of commodities.

When would industry be a good substitute for traffic?

The words industry and traffic 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.

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 traffic

Noun

According to the city’s traffic study, which was presented during an April meeting attended by dozens of residents, the number of cars driving on portions of Hemphill is expected to increase from roughly 13,000 to over 23,000 by 2045. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026 Living in areas like metro Atlanta, which have more traffic and higher rates of theft, may increase the likelihood of claims, which in turn raises insurance prices. — Mckynzie Steward, AJC.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Verb

Also onboard is a new third mate named Angie (Annabelle Wallis), a last-minute substitute with a bouncy ponytail, and my least favorite plot device, a crate of human trafficking victims. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Cole and Angie discover, at almost the same time, that one of the containers is filled with unwilling passengers, some of them children, and that the rest of the crew is in on this human-trafficking operation. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for traffic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for traffic

Noun

Iran entered the war with its foreign commerce concentrated among a relatively small group of countries, leaving it with fewer places to turn now.

— Kareem Chehayeb, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Transport routes along the Danube are also disrupted, which will slow commerce and trade.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of commerce

Verb

High-Flyer traded Unitree as an investable asset, while DeepSeek invested in the humanoid robot maker as a strategic partner, said Hutong Research tech analyst Sigrid Wang.

— Anniek Bao,Elaine Yu, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
But mapping out who was trading with whom is another, and much more complicated, puzzle entirely, one that is going to require a lot more archaeological evidence.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of trade

Noun

Costs for consumers in the Affordable Care Act marketplace have soared amid expiring ACA premium subsidies, and insurance affordability poses a political threat to Republicans during upcoming midterm elections.

— Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
The company contends its plan serves the town, the residential marketplace and the interest of historic preservation.

— Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of marketplace

Verb

The impact of yesterday’s sharp drop in South Korean equities transmitted further into US markets overnight, spreading selling sentiment and dealing heavy blows to US semiconductor and memory stocks.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
As a re-export hub, the UAE processed shipments from foreign suppliers reluctant to deal directly with Iranian customers.

— Kareem Chehayeb, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of deal

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“Traffic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/traffic. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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