crowd 1 of 2

1
as in throng
a great number of persons or creatures massed together a huge crowd of fans was on hand to greet the returning World Series champions

Synonyms & Similar Words

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crowd

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to stuff
to fit (people or things) into a tight space crowded all the boats into the harbor before the storm struck

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
as in to flock
to move upon or fill (something) in great numbers cars crowded the roads over the long holiday weekend

Synonyms & Similar Words

3

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun crowd differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of crowd are crush, horde, mob, and throng. While all these words mean "an assembled multitude," crowd implies a close gathering and pressing together.

a crowd gathered

Where would crush be a reasonable alternative to crowd?

The words crush and crowd are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, crush emphasizes the compactness of the group, the difficulty of individual movement, and the attendant discomfort.

a crush of fans

When might mob be a better fit than crowd?

While in some cases nearly identical to crowd, mob implies a disorderly crowd with the potential for violence.

an angry mob

How do throng and horde relate to one another, in the sense of crowd?

Both throng and horde suggest movement and pushing.

a throng of reporters
a horde of shoppers

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 crowd
Noun
The Braves crowd booed as manager Brian Snitker came out to get his pitcher after a single by Brandon Nimmo with two outs in the ninth, bringing in closer Raisel Iglesias. Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 19 June 2025 This was designed to create maximum animosity from the passionate live crowd. Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
Verb
The unit is trained in de-escalation, crowd control and in standing rules for the use of force, Northern Command said. Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 9 June 2025 McDonnell said the response time was affected by factors like traffic and crowd density. Nbc News, NBC news, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for crowd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crowd
Noun
  • Two National Guard members were stationed outside the Metropolitan Detention Center, surrounded by a throng of reporters surveying the graffiti and aftermath of Tuesday night’s protest.
    Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2025
  • As European cities grapple with overtourism, many have implemented tax hikes on tourists in an effort to curb the throngs of visitors.
    Ashley J. DiMella, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2025
Noun
  • Heather Kelly, Next PR Forbes Agency Council is an invitation-only community for executives in successful public relations, media strategy, creative and advertising agencies.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • The locals nearly revolted against the Hollywood film crew who’d invaded the insular island community to shoot the picture.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • This offers the populace some measure of accountability and contributes to the expectation that officers will perform their legal duties in keeping with their own departmental policies and within the boundaries of the law.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 8 June 2025
  • Imagine arriving in Florence ready to guide and instruct the populace and instead being tussled over like a toy between two toddlers!
    The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • The quilt and sham are stuffed with artificial down to provide a cozy feel.
    Jacqueline Tempera, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 June 2025
  • When faced with a craving, there’s hardly a country on the planet that doesn’t turn to some type of bread with something stuffed inside it.
    Daniel Wine, CNN Money, 12 June 2025
Verb
  • Elegant women and dandies rapidly flocked to it, including royalty and nobility such as the Countess of Castiglione, Princess of Metternich, Prince of Wales and Duchess of Berry.
    Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
  • Investors are flocking to the league, despite the soaring prices, which has enabled teams to sell stakes at a premium to what a control price would be, according to bankers.
    Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • As people watched from apartment patios above street level, and as tourists huddled inside hotels, a large contingent of LAPD officers and Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies fired several flash bangs that boomed through side streets along with tear gas.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 11 June 2025
  • Some attendees filtered away while others huddled under umbrellas and ponchos.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 June 2025
Noun
  • The swarm to support his latest move marked the latest bit of whiplash across the MAGA ranks as they have been divided since the Saturday strikes.
    Al Weaver, The Hill, 25 June 2025
  • In another, a suspect was tackled to the pavement near a bench as a swarm of police closed in around him.
    Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • Secure Folder has triggered a bunch of warnings given some issues in how it was deployed, those have been addressed.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • That’s particularly the case with Bondi who is the worst of the bunch. — William Opfer, Bel Air Add your voice: Respond to this piece or other Sun content by submitting your own letter.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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