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 hair metal craze was off to a very jumpy and problematic start. — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 2026 Even Martha Stewart got in on the Snoopy cup craze as featured in a recent post on Starbuck's official Instagram page. — Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2026
Verb
The story quickly captivated an American public already more space-crazed than usual, thanks to the recent success of Artemis II. — Govert Schilling, Scientific American, 27 June 2026 That crazed dinner service in the last episode made a huge impression on everyone. — Jen Chaney, Vulture, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for craze
Recent Examples of Synonyms for craze
Noun
  • Elsewhere, La DoubleJ fully leans into the trend with a geometric feather-print dress, while Zimmermann’s flowing, graphic pattern takes a more contemporary approach.
    — Corinne Pierre-Louis, Vogue, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Charli XCX‘s take on the dark glamour trend in custom Saint Laurent brought a healthy dose of sensuality to the MTV VMAs 2026 arrival carpet on Sunday night at Los Angeles’s Peacock Theater.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 27 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Tanner Faaborg said he was also bothered by the reshaping of rural Iowa by industrial animal agriculture.
    — Rachel Cramer, NPR, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Before turning it into a judgment about your abilities, notice what specifically bothered you.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 20 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
  • Quantum information is a very current vogue, and a lot of people turn the question of interpretation into quantum informational notions.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 17 Sep. 2026
  • But even at its most explicit, in documentaries, political cinema acts as an antidote to the culture’s wearying vogue for escapism.
    — Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The first word of the book is rage and then things escalate from there.
    — Lane Brown, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026
  • There’s an untamed rage that constantly boils underneath his surface.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Gemini May 21 – June 20 A creative idea may attract more enthusiasm than practical support.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Thomas said Aries energy is associated with momentum, enthusiasm and passion and could inspire people to pursue new directions or goals.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The show routinely presents the Highclere Castle library, lined with Chesterfield sofas--a style Ethan Allen prominently sells today.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026
  • At the time, her father signed an old-style regulated tenancy agreement.
    — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Craze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/craze. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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