The term "trade cycle" refers to the recurring patterns of expansion and contraction in the economy, also known as business cycles. However, there are several other synonyms that can be used to describe this phenomenon. One of the most common synonyms is the "business cycle," which refers to the fluctuations in economic activity that occur over time. Another synonym is the "economic cycle," which describes how the economy moves between periods of growth and recession. The "boom-bust cycle" is another synonym that highlights the rapid growth and subsequent decline that often accompanies economic cycles. Overall, these synonyms all refer to the same basic concept of the cyclical nature of economic activity.