1
as in cramming
to fit (people or things) into a tight space
crowded all the boats into the harbor before the storm struck
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in flocking
to move upon or fill (something) in great numbers
cars crowded the roads over the long holiday weekend
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in huddling
to gather into a closely packed group
everyone crowded around to see the baby being shown off by his proud parents
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of crowding
There were times on this trip when all of them seemed to be crowding the banks at once.
—
Stanley Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
To complicate things, however, berry flavor and sugar content can vary depending on weather and growing conditions like sunlight levels, air temperatures, soil moisture levels, plant crowding, and pests and diseases that stress the plant.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 9 Jan. 2026
Sauer added that the move will help with reducing crowding and delays, and pass-ups on local train service.
—Tom Dougherty, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Factors like the weather can also impact behavior such as crowding indoors, which can increase the spread of influenza, experts said.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 6 Jan. 2026
Press clippings from the earlier incarnation of what was United Press International Wire Service in 1983 describe as many as 10,000 cars crowding the surrounding roads and intersections with onlookers eager to gander at the amazing displays and décor.
—Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
With that many people, crowding can be a big problem at some times of year.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 1 Jan. 2026
Some residents of the neighborhood are less thrilled about people crowding onto their streets.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Dec. 2025
They were shocked to see a subset of the RNAs drastically increasing in concentration as sperm cells matured, and then crowding into the sperm heads with DNA.
—Ivan Amato, Quanta Magazine, 22 Dec. 2025
Stanley Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
To complicate things, however, berry flavor and sugar content can vary depending on weather and growing conditions like sunlight levels, air temperatures, soil moisture levels, plant crowding, and pests and diseases that stress the plant.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 9 Jan. 2026
Sauer added that the move will help with reducing crowding and delays, and pass-ups on local train service.
—Tom Dougherty, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Factors like the weather can also impact behavior such as crowding indoors, which can increase the spread of influenza, experts said.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 6 Jan. 2026
Press clippings from the earlier incarnation of what was United Press International Wire Service in 1983 describe as many as 10,000 cars crowding the surrounding roads and intersections with onlookers eager to gander at the amazing displays and décor.
—Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
With that many people, crowding can be a big problem at some times of year.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 1 Jan. 2026
Some residents of the neighborhood are less thrilled about people crowding onto their streets.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Dec. 2025
They were shocked to see a subset of the RNAs drastically increasing in concentration as sperm cells matured, and then crowding into the sperm heads with DNA.
—Ivan Amato, Quanta Magazine, 22 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crowding
Verb
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More people and new developments are cramming into Florida’s last-remaining greenspace, Lindsey O’Donnell said.—
Abigail Hasebroock,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Tens of thousands of residents are living with relatives, cramming into rental apartments or living in public buildings.—
Aref Tufaha,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Dozens of past colleagues, current peers, friends and family came to celebrate Hayes, flocking to the podium in the center to thank him personally.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
13 Jan. 2026
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While blue-collar work has become an attractive, stable career for some, a swath of young professionals is flocking to education amid uncertainty.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Ohio State continued huddling in the second half and put together touchdown drives of 82 and 75 yards, keeping the Miami D-line at bay and allowing just one sack.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
1 Jan. 2026
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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
Verb
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Echoing similar concerns, Stefani’s spokesperson, Daniel Herzstein, said in a statement that a lower rent cap would risk squeezing landlords who already face rising costs.—
CalMatters,
Oc Register,
14 Jan. 2026
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But squeezing China out of Latin America will take far more than a single show of force, no matter how impressive.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The president is spending every single day thinking about invading Greenland, managing the Venezuelan economy, building a ballroom.—
NBC news,
NBC news,
11 Jan. 2026
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European leaders have become increasingly vocal in warning Trump against invading the island home to 57,000 people.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Instead of piling up with other tourists at beaches in major hubs like Barcelona or Marbella, do as the locals do and escape to Xàbia.—
Liz Provencher,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
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Pla2na/Getty Images When money problems start piling up and filing for bankruptcy appears to be the only option, the timing suddenly starts to matter in ways that many people don't expect.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The container is insulated and protected from weather and palletized for easy transport using a forklift for loading onto vehicles or aircraft.—
Gidget Fuentes,
USA Today,
5 Jan. 2026
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There might also be loading instructions in the machine’s manual.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Patriots leaned on Los Angeles offensively and thrashed them on defense, circling Justin Herbert in the first half before swarming him for four sacks in the second.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
13 Jan. 2026
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The Texans’ swarming defense got to Steelers quarterback Rodgers for a sack and fumble.—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN Money,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crowding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crowding. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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