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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Piane died Monday following a traffic collision in Glendale, California, according to records from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026 Lucian Piane, a songwriter and music producer known best for his work on multiple seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race, died October 12 in a traffic accident, according to Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office records. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026

Verb

Two other women at the home, who were from China and Romania, denied being trafficked. — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026 Police didn’t say if the drivers were charged with any crime, like, maybe trafficking furniture or grand theft ottoman. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for traffic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for traffic

Noun

Our goal is to help prepare merchants for a future where commerce can happen anywhere.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Braniecki likened the effort to make SPACE open source to what happened with web browsers as the internet developed — companies came together to build guardrails that allowed secure browsing and online commerce.

— Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of commerce

Verb

After an eight-play, 71-yard jaunt by the Rams tied the game at 27 with seven minutes and 14 seconds to go, the teams traded especially textbook scoring drives.

— Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2026
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation stock, which trades under the ticker symbol FUN, fell 12% in early trading.

— Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of trade

Noun

ChatGPT is the most popular chatbot in the world, commanding nearly half the American marketplace, states said in their lawsuits.

— Marc Levy, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
Days ago, the chief content officer at the streaming giant was in Cannes receiving an honor while the MIPCOM marketplace was in full swing, before turning to unveil a major World Cup media rights deal a day later.

— Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of marketplace

Cite this Entry

Style

“Traffic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/traffic. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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