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
Border Patrol deployed crowd control measures, and safely cleared the area. Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 11 Nov. 2025 The stylish crowd was hosted by Posen, Reliance Retailer’s Isha Ambani, Anna Wintour and Chloe Malle. Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025
Verb
Visions of past mistakes crowd your brain as Mercury goes retrograde! Usa Today, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025 This approach is meant to reduce crowding and prevent day-of travel surprises. Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 7 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for crowd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crowd
Noun
  • As the day wears on, the crowd swells to a formidable throng.
    Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Videos from Isfahan, Arak, and other cities show throngs of hijab-less women outdoors.
    Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • With about 90% of ballots counted, California voters passed Proposition 50 by a wide margin, but results from the Sacramento region reflect a community split on the measure.
    Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Meanwhile, Prince Harry touched down in Canada to meet members of the country's reserve forces to mark Remembrance, as part of events organized by True Patriot Love, Canada’s national foundation for the military and veteran community.
    Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • As 39% of the United Kingdom populace struggles to heat their homes, Edelstyn and Powell huddle under blankets themselves, trying vainly to warm up with endless mugs of tea.
    Will Tizard, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Each district sends two children as tributes to the fight-to-the-death Hunger Games, concocted by the capitol to keep the populace distracted.
    Adam Bell, Charlotte Observer, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • After the goal, the TNT broadcast showed Binnington apparently stuffing the milestone puck into his hockey pants but an official confronted him.
    Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Turducken is a partially de-boned turkey stuffed with a de-boned duck that has been stuffed with a de-boned chicken.
    Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Fans flocked to the announcement in droves, honing in on the little details of the poster.
    James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025
  • One fall night under the neon sign at Ground Zero, groups of tourists flocked in to hear Heavy Suga’ play originals mixed with blues classics and Muddy Waters hits.
    USA Today, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Longtime residents can’t forget his iconic image of flamingos huddling in the bathroom for safety against monstrous Hurricane Andrew in August 1992.
    Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Senate Republicans huddled on Friday afternoon after Schumer’s floor speech but seemed to see no immediate path forward.
    Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Lateef dealt with a swarm of attention last week after 22-game starter Dylan Raiola, the sophomore former five-star prospect, suffered a broken fibula in the second half of a 21-17 loss against USC.
    Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Apparently, some chemical the art department used for finishing touches on the set ended up attracting a swarm of wasps overnight, which no one noticed until the morning we were set to shoot there.
    Mike Miller, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Hadn’t really contemplated it — was doing a bunch of other things.
    Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The Cardinals will eat a bunch of money and take back two or three Grade C prospects, but it'll get done, and Arenado will man third base in Philadelphia in 2026 and 2027.
    Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Crowd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crowd. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.

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