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
Pair it with their signature warm nuts drenched in Tap Roots’ homemade spicy maple syrup, which is destined to put the hot honey craze to shame once word gets out. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Feb. 2026 Case in point is the recent social media craze about a coming mileage tax. Sal Rodriguez, Oc Register, 8 Feb. 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
  • A lot of what’s gone on is just multiple expansion, optimism about a weaker dollar, excitement about consumer spending trends overseas and other ephemeral ideas that haven’t yet become manifest in the companies’ actual results.
    Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026
  • The route’s comeback also reflects a broader trend emerging across the airline industry.
    Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 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
  • Andrew Musgrave crossed the finish line in cross-country skiing today in a tank top, and the cold didn’t seem to bother him one bit.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
  • My damp clothes didn’t bother either one of us.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Of course, a lot has changed in the past decade, to the point that being a proud Luddite has become more en vogue than the tech-optimism that marked early social media’s past.
    Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Traditional lifestyles, organic foods, and wellness were hip, and like most things that were in vogue in the 2010s, they were coded politically as left-wing.
    Annie Levin, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Marinho and other partygoers waved white ribbons and sang a song in a tribute to Orelha, a dog that was killed in southern Brazil in January in a case that caused national rage.
    ABC News, ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Those skipping romance this season can name an ex after a pile of animal feces, shred old photos for dining deals or smash their way through staged date nights in rage rooms.
    Julian Torres, CNN Money, 14 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The test of whether organizations will translate that enthusiasm into political wins won't come until November.
    Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Hardware enthusiasm While there are doubts about the software industry, Wall Street has resounding confidence that hardware companies are AI winners.
    John Towfighi, CNN Money, 10 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Craze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/craze. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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