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

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as in profession

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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Examples 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

Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. —

Jeff Marks, CNBC, 17 Jan. 2025 China recorded one of its slowest rates of economic growth in decades last year, data showed Friday, as leaders nervously eye a potential trade standoff with incoming U.S. president Donald Trump. —

Beatrice Nolan, Fortune Asia, 17 Jan. 2025

Verb

Weeks after returning from the third of those suspensions, Waiters was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies, with the Heat receiving Andre Iguodala and Jae Crowder in return. —

Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 17 Jan. 2025 But by April 2024, those figures began to creep back up as Israel and Iran traded fire and Tel Aviv went on the offensive against Hezbollah. —

Dahlia Scheindlin / Tel Aviv, TIME, 17 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for trade

Recent Examples of Synonyms for trade

Noun

In September 2023, five Americans detained for years in Iran were freed in exchange for five Iranians in U.S. custody and for $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets to be released by South Korea.

Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Boston sent Sophie Jaques to Minnesota in exchange for Susanna Tapani and Abby Cook.

Shayna Goldman, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025