craze 1 of 2

Definition of crazenext
as in to frenzy
to cause to go insane or as if insane horses crazed by the barn fire kicked out their stall doors as they tried to escape

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
The interest, in part, reflects the broader peptide-craze that has increasingly entered the mainstream wellness and longevity space. Will Stone, NPR, 7 Sep. 2026 As the extreme budgeting craze takes over social media, the trend has now also made its way to the grocery store. ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
Verb
That crazed dinner service in the last episode made a huge impression on everyone. Jen Chaney, Vulture, 26 June 2026 A lot of people tried Popeyes for the first time during the chicken sandwich craze a few years back. Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for craze
Recent Examples of Synonyms for craze
Noun
  • Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Cam Little became the face of the trend last year, making a 70-yarder in preseason and then a regular-season record 68-yarder.
    Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • In the 2002 midterms, Republicans again bucked the historical trend, gaining seats in both chambers following the post-9/11 political climate.
    Cal Thomas, Arkansas Online, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • What’s bothered me, though, is how its backers have anchored their messaging around a lot of misleading generalizations about the state of college sports.
    Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Having my mother in so much of the film [is what] bothers me.
    Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The latests stats mean AI music has exploded by 650% in 16 months.
    James Peckham, PC Magazine, 20 Apr. 2026
  • The latests forecasts show a new round of storm systems will increase rain chances across much of Northern California and the Central Valley in the coming days.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • With France established as a producer and distributor of cozy crime – a genre much in vogue with buyers, who appreciate its wide appeal and flexibility in schedules – there are several new shows to look out for.
    Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2026
  • And because putting screens on batteries is now en vogue, this one has a display showing charge level, power output, and the internal temperature.
    Andrew Liszewski, The Verge, 3 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Related 'Ask Us Anything' Stories Do rage workouts really help to blow off steam?
    Jennifer Byrne, Popular Science, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Once the two men start working together, the combination of Ploughman’s crushing grief and Tyler’s populist rage illustrates the two factors that shaped the revolt.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The convention -- part rally, part fundraiser -- comes as Republicans try to boost enthusiasm heading into the final stretch before Election Day.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The move was sure to spark criticism that the president was paying Americans to vote Republican as the party struggles to match Democrats’ enthusiasm and faces a challenging midterm outlook.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Mikel Arteta’s champions are built around a solid defence and strangling the opposition through possession, while Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea have had very little of the ball during his first few games, but have still built an exciting style.
    Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Hers was a captivating return, combining the innate theatricality of her poise with a bold, sophisticated style steeped in historical references to haute couture.
    Giacomo Aricò, Vogue, 5 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Craze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/craze. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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