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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
With black cats and skeleton iconography sprinkled throughout, this collection is a spiritual successor to last year’s astrology craze, only with more glitter. Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 June 2025 The metals craze is reflected in the numbers: Precious metals are trouncing the US stock market this year. John Towfighi, CNN Money, 12 June 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
  • Now, if the trend reporters are to be believed, jellies are back.
    Jillian Steinhauer, New Yorker, 27 June 2025
  • This summer, beauty trends are all about softness with a side of shimmer.
    Larry Stansbury, Essence, 27 June 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
  • Also on this episode: With Emmy nomination voting ending on Monday, the Roundtable takes one more look at the major categories, how the number of submissions has changed some of the competition and who didn’t bother to join in.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 20 June 2025
  • Orban said in February that organisers should not even bother organizing Pride in Budapest this year.
    Reuters, CNN Money, 19 June 2025
Noun
  • Signing a celebrity is en vogue with Smartwater’s competitors.
    Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 17 June 2025
  • Several commenters praised the name, which seems to be in vogue among celebrity parents.
    Anna Halkidis, Parents, 11 June 2025
Noun
  • Emotionally intelligent people don't unleash their rage like this.
    Juli Fraga, CNBC, 27 June 2025
  • In rage and disbelief, Gi-hun mourned the death of his friend and wailed with grief as masked soldiers apprehended him.
    Esther Kang, People.com, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • However, their fresh perspective, general enthusiasm and tech fluency can be superpowers that breathe new life into an organization.
    Jill Shedek, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
  • With enthusiasm building among opponents of the Iranian government, analysts and former officials are treating with caution speculation of an insurrection capable of actually ousting the country's leadership.
    Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 June 2025
Noun
  • Finally, a style that Sylvie Grateau would undoubtedly approve of.
    Blanca de Almandoz, Glamour, 19 June 2025
  • On the continent, specific styles were used to delineate tribes, ethnic groups, and even hierarchical social order within such groups.
    Essence, Essence, 19 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Craze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/craze. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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