TRADE Synonyms: 145 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

trade 1 of 2

noun

ˈtrād

Definition of trade next

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

as in craft

an occupation requiring skillful use of the hands a youth eager to learn the trade of cabinetmaking

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in profession

the activity by which one regularly makes a living writing is my trade

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

as in to deal

to carry on the business of buying and selling goods or other property the U.S. agreed to trade with China

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to exchange

to give up (something) and take something else in return I'll trade my chocolate chip cookie for your bag of chips

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

The back-and-forth trade between the two countries extends to other products like the oats used in General Mills cereals. —

Mars King, Twin Cities, 9 Feb. 2025 But an actual trade war would have a dramatic impact on the food supply. —

Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2025

Verb

More news: Raptors Land Brandon Ingram in Blockbuster Deal With Pelicans February 1, 2025, will go down in NBA history as the day the Mavericks traded away their superstar and face of the franchise, Luka Dončić, to the Lakers in exchange for fellow superstar, center Anthony Davis. —

Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 9 Feb. 2025 Forecast to grow revenues by more than 6% in the current fiscal year ending March 31 and greater than 8% next year, Alibaba is trading at just 11.5 times forward earnings, less than half as expensive as the S & P despite top and bottom line growth equal to or greater than that of the benchmark. —

Michael Khouw, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for trade

Recent Examples of Synonyms for trade

Noun

Adams, who is up for reelection this fall, was indicted in September on charges related to bribery, wire fraud, conspiracy and soliciting campaign contributions from foreign nationals in exchange for political favors.

— Paula Reid, CNN, 11 Feb. 2025
There's also bipartisan pressure to enforce nonprofit hospitals' responsibility to provide charity care in exchange for their no-tax status, and to more closely examine a drug-purchasing program that many such facilities can take advantage of to get steep discounts on pharmaceuticals.

— Maya Goldman, Axios, 11 Feb. 2025