craze 1 of 2

Definition of crazenext

craze

2 of 2

verb

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
Results from the technology sector are being scrutinized by investors trying to figure out whether the high stock prices fueled by the craze around artificial intelligence are justified. Elaine Kurtenbach, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2026 One of the most influential horror movies of the 21st century, 28 Days Later pre-figured the zombie craze kicked off by Zack Snyder's Dawn of the Dead remake and The Walking Dead. Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Jan. 2026
Verb
To make matters worse, Elphaba believes he has been killed and becomes crazed with grief. Megan McCluskey, Time, 21 Nov. 2025 TikTok brims with both clever and crazed conspiracy theories. Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for craze
Recent Examples of Synonyms for craze
Noun
  • Being Different means standing apart - leading on innovation and setting trends.
    Steven Wolfe Pereira, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Pope said the same trend will be in place Saturday.
    Anne Li, Arkansas Online, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Her lawyers argued that the media frenzy over the case, the prosecution’s use of a transcript for a grainy audio tape, and other factors all played into making the trial unconstitutional.
    Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
  • But the media frenzy around Swift’s relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has put even more attention on the stars on the sidelines.
    Zoe Guy, Vulture, 24 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • These latests features are designed for enterprises who want to integrate their AI technology with either existing Salesforce data or even their own data.
    Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • 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
Verb
  • Zamiri doesn’t really bother filming fans rushing Charli’s car or whatever—this has been the quintessential mock-pop-doc scene since A Hard Day’s Night but these days the fans rush you online.
    Anna Gaca, Pitchfork, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Aquarius' biggest struggle in 2026 Don’t bother trying to control the outcome.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Embracing your natural texture is undeniably in vogue.
    Krista Carter, InStyle, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Such open authorial musing, and maybe literature’s wisdom-seeking function itself, has been out of vogue during the past century of show-don’t-tell storytelling.
    Julius Taranto, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Tall Shaft Boots Knee-high boots were all the rage back in 2016, and the stylish trend happens to still be well-suited for winter travel this year—depending on your selection, that is.
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 31 Jan. 2026
  • The demonstration was marked by intense emotion, with rage, frustration and grief reflected in signs and chants calling for accountability and change.
    Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • In practice that means less competition and more enthusiasm.
    Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 2 Feb. 2026
  • That’s a solid start for the $40 million production, which is expected to stick around beyond its debut, thanks to great word-of-mouth and enthusiasm for original horror.
    Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 1 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The risk remained even after researchers accounted for how closely people followed a healthy Mediterranean-style diet.
    Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The co-founder of Airbnb, Gebbia ran through the new website with Oz, a former television show host, during the informercial-style event.
    Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Craze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/craze. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.

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