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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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

According to the city’s traffic study, which was presented during an April meeting attended by dozens of residents, the number of cars driving on portions of Hemphill is expected to increase from roughly 13,000 to over 23,000 by 2045. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026 Living in areas like metro Atlanta, which have more traffic and higher rates of theft, may increase the likelihood of claims, which in turn raises insurance prices. — Mckynzie Steward, AJC.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Verb

Lured by the promise of a well-paying insurance job, Ganea arrived in Thailand to turn a page in his life but was instead trafficked across the border into Myanmar. — Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 24 Aug. 2026 Cole and Angie discover, at almost the same time, that one of the containers is filled with unwilling passengers, some of them children, and that the rest of the crew is in on this human-trafficking operation. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for traffic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for traffic

Noun

This is where NuOrder, the B2B commerce platform, came into the picture.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026
Brad Bourque is a tech journalist and commerce writer based out of Portland, Oregon.

— Brad Bourque, The Verge, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of commerce

Verb

In addition, key agricultural futures including rice, cotton, and corn have also rallied significantly since the beginning of the year, with most currently trading around their highest levels in three years.

— , CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
After nine months at sea, the sailors and Marines of the USS Abraham Lincoln are trading their cargo pants and boots for shorts and flip-flops.

— Sam Winslade, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of trade

Noun

Costs for consumers in the Affordable Care Act marketplace have soared amid expiring ACA premium subsidies, and insurance affordability poses a political threat to Republicans during upcoming midterm elections.

— Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
The company contends its plan serves the town, the residential marketplace and the interest of historic preservation.

— Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of marketplace

Verb

If Cease and the rotation keep dealing and Louis Varland and the bullpen can survive one more month, any offensive revival would make the Jays a real threat.

— Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Detectives suspected that members of a Black gang, the Original Valley Gangster Crips, killed him in an attempt to wrest control of the drug dealing hub.

— Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of deal

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“Traffic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/traffic. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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