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craze

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word craze distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of craze are fad, fashion, mode, rage, style, and vogue. While all these words mean "the usage accepted by those who want to be up-to-date," rage and craze stress intense enthusiasm in adopting a fad.

Cajun food was the rage nearly everywhere for a time
crossword puzzles once seemed just a passing craze but have lasted

When is fad a more appropriate choice than craze?

The meanings of fad and craze largely overlap; however, fad suggests caprice in taking up or in dropping a fashion.

last year's fad is over

When is it sensible to use fashion instead of craze?

Although the words fashion and craze have much in common, fashion is the most general term and applies to any way of dressing, behaving, writing, or performing that is favored at any one time or place.

the current fashion

In what contexts can mode take the place of craze?

In some situations, the words mode and craze are roughly equivalent. However, mode suggests the fashion of the moment among those anxious to appear elegant and sophisticated.

slim bodies are the mode at this resort

When can style be used instead of craze?

The words style and craze are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, style often implies a distinctive fashion adopted by people of taste.

a media baron used to traveling in style

Where would vogue be a reasonable alternative to craze?

While in some cases nearly identical to craze, vogue stresses the wide acceptance of a fashion.

short skirts are back in vogue

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 craze
Noun
Tim Lammers Reacting to the destructive craze at A Minecraft Movie, the theatrical trade group Cinema United — formerly the National Association of Theater Owners — issued a memo to its thousands of members filled with voluntary guidelines, per THR. Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025 Despite its recent craze, Saratoga water is nowhere near new. Jennifer Adams, StyleCaster, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
The exclamatory marketing epitomizes the desire of folks to post filtered photos of themselves on social media, connecting with millions who craze this basic connection to some semblance of the art world. Natasha Gural, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2021 Anderson is one of a select few managers from whom La Russa learned, although that was supplemented by his interest in statistics well before the sabermetrics craze. Mark Gonzales, chicagotribune.com, 29 Oct. 2020 See All Example Sentences for craze
Recent Examples of Synonyms for craze
Noun
  • The American Public Health Association says that as global average temperatures rise, these trends will continue and make allergies an increasing public health concern.
    Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
  • While the many trends were easy to spot, the differences were all in the details.
    Cierra Black, Essence, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The media frenzy about GLP-1 agonists hadn't yet started.
    Mara Gordon, NPR, 24 Apr. 2025
  • In season six, these controversies extended to the way the show depicted Mohamed Al-Fayed, all but accusing him of setting up the paparazzi frenzy that led to the deaths of Diana and his son, Dodi.
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 15 June 2024
Noun
  • The latests deaths included three residents of long-term care facilities in Dallas, as well as a Balch Springs man in his 20s and a Dallas man in his 60s.
    Dana Branham, Dallas News, 30 Apr. 2020
  • That equates to more than 45 million Americans using CBD products, based on latest available U.S. Census estimates.
    Brendan Bures, chicagotribune.com, 2 Oct. 2019
Verb
  • Travel delays don’t bother Blues The Blues got stuck in Winnipeg after Game 5 due to an issue with the plane that was bringing them back to St. Louis.
    Jeremy Rutherford, New York Times, 2 May 2025
  • Luckily, my dog doesn’t bother the plants—except the ones in the garden—but this plant stand gives me peace of mind anyway.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 May 2025
Noun
  • But cross necklaces and pendants have been in vogue before and may be again as some feel more comfortable embracing their faith and seek community with others.
    Misty White Sidell, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Gone are the days of squeezing your feet into tight or sky-high shoes to stay in vogue.
    Clara McMahon, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Prosecutors allege that Read, 45, deliberately hit O’Keefe with her SUV in a drunken rage and left him to die in the snow in January 2022.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025
  • If Episode 2 was the depiction of fire and uncontrollable rage — with Tommy flaming down an unrelenting monster known as a bloater, and Abby (Kaitlyn Dever) torturing and killing Joel — Episode 3 is the opposite.
    Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • After so much enthusiasm and excitement following his winter move from Mercedes, reality is setting in for Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari.
    Luke Smith, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Walz has attempted to generate enthusiasm and make use of Americans’ frustration with the Trump administration’s actions so far by hosting town hall discussions across the country.
    Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • If slouchy styles aren’t your thing, this Everlane jacket is the perfect trench for you.
    Anna Popp, Travel + Leisure, 2 May 2025
  • While wire-rim options will never go out of style, the most popular material of the moment is thick, expressive plastic.
    Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 2 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Craze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/craze. Accessed 11 May. 2025.

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