1
as in throngs
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
Relevance
2
as in communities
a group of people sharing a common interest and relating together socially
the fashionable crowd at the polo tournament
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in masses
the body of the community as contrasted with the elite
no national leader was ever more hated by the crowd
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
3
as in huddles
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
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 crowds
Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
While the celebration always draws massive crowds, attendees were especially excited for Gu, who drew loud cheers.
—Jane Tyska, Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2026
Plus visiting Greece in the off-season reveals handsome landscapes without the heat and crowds that summer can bring.
—Katie Silcox, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Mar. 2026
Round the Clock Diner, York, Pennsylvania A true 24-hour institution, Round the Clock is where York’s night-shift workers, road-trippers, and post-bar crowds gather for bottomless coffee and diner classics served with no fuss.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
Even if Texas State's season didn't end on a bright note, the peak crowds at Strahan Arena showed that there can be an appetite for men's basketball in San Marcos.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
All across bluegrass and beyond, crowds got bigger, and opportunities grew.
—Chris Parton, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2026
The 112-year-old event draws tens of thousands of people to events such as a parade and fashion show, but it has also been marked by rowdy crowds, blaring music and excessive drinking.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 1 Mar. 2026
The shooting sent crowds fleeing from one of Austin’s most popular nightlife areas, located near the University of Texas campus and known for heavy weekend foot traffic.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 1 Mar. 2026
Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 13 Dec. 2025
Long takes emphasize the mental labor of Hujar’s self-exploration, and Sachs’s framing (with cinematography by Alex Ashe) crowds the pair together to evoke the intimacy of their talk.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
Marsh is also concerned with how crowds, loud noises and bright lights could impact animals nearby.
—Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
While the celebration always draws massive crowds, attendees were especially excited for Gu, who drew loud cheers.
—Jane Tyska, Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2026
Plus visiting Greece in the off-season reveals handsome landscapes without the heat and crowds that summer can bring.
—Katie Silcox, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Mar. 2026
Round the Clock Diner, York, Pennsylvania A true 24-hour institution, Round the Clock is where York’s night-shift workers, road-trippers, and post-bar crowds gather for bottomless coffee and diner classics served with no fuss.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
Even if Texas State's season didn't end on a bright note, the peak crowds at Strahan Arena showed that there can be an appetite for men's basketball in San Marcos.
—Caleb Yum, Austin American Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
All across bluegrass and beyond, crowds got bigger, and opportunities grew.
—Chris Parton, Rolling Stone, 1 Mar. 2026
The 112-year-old event draws tens of thousands of people to events such as a parade and fashion show, but it has also been marked by rowdy crowds, blaring music and excessive drinking.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 1 Mar. 2026
The shooting sent crowds fleeing from one of Austin’s most popular nightlife areas, located near the University of Texas campus and known for heavy weekend foot traffic.
—Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 1 Mar. 2026
Verb
Filming in front of real audiences, alongside real racers and real pit crews, the director crowds the screen with people.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 13 Dec. 2025
Long takes emphasize the mental labor of Hujar’s self-exploration, and Sachs’s framing (with cinematography by Alex Ashe) crowds the pair together to evoke the intimacy of their talk.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crowds
Noun
-
There is no sign of grief inside, however, where throngs of people enjoy cocktails, Dungeness crab and plates of herby butter beans.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The film shows places of uncommon beauty, along with the throngs of visitors who clamber to see them and, crucially, preserve their experiences in photos.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce released a comprehensive binational report Wednesday outlining a five-pillar strategy to address the Tijuana River contamination crisis, a problem that has plagued South San Diego County communities for decades.—
Walker Armstrong,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The fund — which seeks to foster economic development in traditionally underserved communities — approves grants on a competitive basis and are all but assured to be backed by the State Bond Commission, whose approval also is required.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The ribs and the brisket are the stars of the show, and the Ultimate BBQ Combo Sandwich stuffs a long hoagie roll with brisket, sausage, and pulled pork plus bacon, Cheddar, and pickles.—
Robert F. Moss,
Southern Living,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Kinney lovingly stuffs the view of the boat’s cabin and upper deck with props and details that reward the eye.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The couple huddles around a gas heater inside their home with their daughter and 4-year-old granddaughter to try and stay warm.—
Kati Weis,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Back at the castle, where the only thing haunting them is the ghosts of slain reality stars, everybody huddles to try to figure out whether to go for Ron or Colton.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
October marks the start of butterfly season, with vibrant swarms fluttering well into the green season.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Mar. 2026
-
In the cat-and-mouse game of drone warfare, the Ukrainians have also built up a layered defense against the Shahed and its variants – and claim to have seen significant success in countering Russian drone swarms.—
Nathan Hodge,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Their parties became notorious even in my own cliques; my parents knew to expect at least a few dozen teenagers crashing their party, sucking down all the noodles, and sneaking beers in the canyon down below.—
Natasha Pickowicz,
Vogue,
20 Feb. 2026
-
This graph had no cliques — clusters of nodes that are all connected to one another.—
Leila Sloman,
Quanta Magazine,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
While trees — oak, birch, maple — dominate early spring, grass pollen often overlaps in late spring from May to June, leading to higher, more intense allergy loads for sufferers.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Now, five courts — whose case loads range from several hundred to over 40,000 — have just one permanent judge.—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The result piles more pressure on Starmer, the least popular prime minister since records began, according to some polls.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
27 Feb. 2026
-
But when snow piles up in powdery white masses, Arizonans can't resist the opportunity to play in it.—
Michael Salerno,
AZCentral.com,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crowds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crowds. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
