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
Luxor and Aswan Draw Renewed Attention Upper Egypt has been attracting interest along with the museum craze in Cairo. — Connie Etemadi, Kansas City Star, 23 Sep. 2026 In the lead-up to the film, the craze has been gestating on social media. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026
Verb
If the lenses are badly crazed, meaning marred by microscopic cracks in the lens surface, or moisture is trapped inside the housing, replacement is the better option. — John Paul, The Providence Journal, 3 July 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for craze
Recent Examples of Synonyms for craze
Noun
  • Dabrowski sees its appeal as an aesthetic rather than simply a trend, pointing to the scarves, flashes of colors, especially red, and distinctly Parisian styling.
    — Alex Badia, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Music that has outlived trends, generations, and just about everything else the world has thrown at it.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Palo Alto Networks did that after buying [Israeli startup] CyberArk, but why would most companies bother?
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • That woman was truly unbothered, a term tossed around online, but the literal act of not being bothered is impossible for most people beyond the quirkiest, like my onetime neighbor, or maybe Fran Lebowitz.
    — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 Oct. 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
  • Textural and layered wallpaper looks are similarly quite en vogue right now, granting organic depth to a room that might otherwise feel small and ordinary.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Designers agree that these are also majorly in vogue at this point in time.
    — Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Denial gave way to rage, then rage collapsed into despair, for there is no bargain to be made with genocide.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Using this [execution] to invoke rage, or some political statement, is not something the families want.
    — Meagan Harris, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • That’s on par with the level of enthusiasm expressed by Republicans and Democrats.
    — Julio Borquez, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Though expressing enthusiasm about his transfer destination, Louisville, Flory Bidunga spoke glowingly about his previous school, Kansas, during Tuesday’s ACC basketball media day event held in Charlotte, North Carolina.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The setup smooths the music’s flux without sacrificing the flavor of all the places and styles the album spans.
    — Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Antique 18th-century Swiss wooden ceilings were sourced and reassembled to fit the precise dimensions of the primary rooms, and corridors and guest rooms are lined with 19th-century pine mountain–style paneling.
    — Michael James Gardner, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

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

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