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Definitions

trail

[treyl] / treɪl /
NOUN
path, track
Synonyms
STRONGEST
aisle pathway road route stream train
STRONG
byway footpath footprints footsteps groove mark marks rut scent spoor stroll tail trace wake way
WEAK
beaten track
VERB
lag behind, follow
Synonyms
STRONGEST
chase fall behind falter lag pull
STRONG
dally dangle dawdle delay dog drag draggle draw droop extend flag halt hang haul hunt linger loiter plod poke procrastinate pursue shadow shag spook spoor stalk straggle stream tail tarry tow trace track traipse trudge
WEAK
bedog bring up the rear drop back fall back follow a scent hang back hang down nose out poke along string along tag along take out after
Antonyms
STRONG
advance carry on complete finish forward go hasten hurry ignore leave leave alone let go push rise run away rush shorten speed stop tiptoe
WEAK
lead

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Overall, that volatility has likely turned some investors off entirely, and those that remain are pickier, leading the most volatile staples stocks to trail their more stable peers and take bigger hits from bad news.

From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026

This year’s predicted 18% year-over-year growth would, however, trail last year’s 26% growth rate and the previous year’s 34% rate, according to IAB.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

Since the Kings trail 3-0 a win in Sunday’s matinee at Crypto.com Arena will do little more than extend the series one game, sending the teams back to Denver.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2026

Carrier naval aviation appears to trail the Air Force in integrating drone wingmen that will be essential for modern warfare.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

Struggling for calm, Torak forced himself to study the trail.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

Vocabulary lists containing trail

"Holding Up the Sky" and "The Girl and the Chenoo"

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