TRAILS Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

trails 1 of 2

noun

plural of trail

as in paths

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

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as in tracks

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

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trails

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of trail

as in chases

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 trails

Noun

There’s no reputable research showing that dry cornstarch reliably disrupts ant pheromone trails in real-world garden conditions. — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2026 The property’s concierges, called Pathfinders, can help guests narrow down the best places to see fall foliage, from scenic drives through Grand Tetons to hiking trails lined with golden aspens. — Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 The park, which includes a beach, playground, and walking trails, is staffed seasonally. — Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 29 Aug. 2026 The village has access to the Huron River National Water Trail, along with more than 100 miles of biking and other trails in and around the village. — Brendel Clark, Freep.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Seeking a way to maintain the trails, the Copleys decided to rely on foot traffic from hikers to keep down vegetation. — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 28 Aug. 2026 The project will add to the 94 miles of trails maintained by Great Parks and complement nearby recreational destinations, including Avoca Trailhead, Bass Island and the Little Miami Golf Center. — Jane Imbody, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Aug. 2026 The end of summer is nigh, but there is still opportunity to make your way to a beach, hike some trails and paddle about lakes. — Ed Silverman, STAT, 28 Aug. 2026 The project also includes approximately 565,000 square feet of retail and dining, 750,000 square feet of office, 1,385 for-rent multifamily units, and more than 20 acres of publicly accessible parks, plazas and multi-use trails. — Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Verb

Prolific trails Hussle’s Victory Lap, which remains his highest-charting release on nearly every roster where both projects have appeared. — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 New York trails first-place Tampa Bay by four games in the AL East and leads Boston by two for the top American League wild card. — CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 The Super Bowl champion Seahawks’ price only trails a pair of deals for the Los Angeles Lakers among the most expensive sports control sales across sports. — Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 26 Aug. 2026 That leaves the final two slots decided between Cindric, Shane van Gisbergen and Ryan Preece, who trails 16th by 31 points heading to Daytona. — ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026 Kimbrel trails only Mariano Rivera (652), Trevor Hoffman (601), Kenley Jansen (492) and Lee Smith (478) on the all-time list. — Sam Blum, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 Revuluri trails with $216,000 on-hand, followed by Biggs and Custer with $121,000 and $23,000, respectively. — Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026 Although that grade trails many Australian deposits, the mine remains one of China’s most strategically important mineral assets because of its unique mix of critical minerals. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2026 Even so, the Galaxy Watch 9's battery life trails that of competing smartwatches. — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for trails

Noun

Or stay amid the woods at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort & Spa, where amenities and activities include yard games, bike paths, archery, and s’mores as well as special seasonal fun.

— Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
In early April, a convoy of 299 Iraqi fuel tankers crossed into Syria on its way to the Mediterranean port of Baniyas, one of the few remaining paths to international markets amid the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

— Jesse Marks, Foreign Affairs, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of paths

Noun

From radar tracks to tactical decisions The system combines radar and other sensor information with a causal model designed to determine why a vessel might be manoeuvring in a particular way.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Meanwhile, enrollment in formal military cadet schools and specialized recruitment tracks reached 780,000 students by 2025, up from 200,000 in 2018.

— Bloomberg, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of tracks

Verb

But when the mutt chases a fox into the wilderness and doesn't return, Fielding and his father launch a massive search to recover him, growing closer together as a result.

— K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 21 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 chases

Noun

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, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026

Definition of footpaths

Noun

Neanderthals and Denisovans left behind fossils — from which scientists could extract DNA — as well as identifiable traces in human genes.

— Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
If that prediction is wrong, the processor discards the work, although traces can remain behind.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of traces

Verb

This exemplifies a reactive legal framework that pursues accountability in hindsight rather than enforcing prevention at the front end.

— Brittany Berlin, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026
When a Ukrainian pickup truck carrying soldiers and equipment drives past, the drone detects it acoustically, takes off, and pursues it.

— Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of pursues

Noun

In the battery, the coated ceramic particles interact with the surrounding polymer chains and create interconnected pathways that allow lithium ions to travel more efficiently.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026
For example, if someone is trying to relearn how to walk, practicing every day can help build those pathways.

— Connie Etermadi, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of pathways

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
Analysts overlay maps with regulatory zones, demographics, zoning rules, competitive footprints, and cost surfaces.

— Brian Cross, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of footprints

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trailing

trails

train

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“Trails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/trails. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of trails

noun

verb

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