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
Tall boots and mid-length skirts has also been a popular pairing among the fashion crowd. Jana Ackermann, Glamour, 30 June 2025 This was once a special franchise, as the classy halftime jersey retirement ceremony for Parker reminded everyone, with Lisa Leslie introducing and Parker embracing and the standing crowd a little teary. Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2025
Verb
The sidewalk was crowded, because the night was just getting started. Helen Schulman, The Atlantic, 26 June 2025 As the filming of the movie began in Martha’s Vineyard, members of the public began crowding the beach to watch Spielberg meticulously craft Jaws. Logan Holland, People.com, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for crowd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crowd
Noun
  • Last season, before the final home series, Getz spoke to a throng of media inside the tunnels of Rate Field in Chicago.
    Sam Blum, New York Times, 7 July 2025
  • Along with the headline-grabbing job culls in the federal government which began earlier this year, a throng of companies have already laid off workers so far in 2025, including Microsoft, UPS, Dell, BP and others.
    Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 July 2025
Noun
  • So to have somebody that innately understands rap music is to have somebody that innately understands community, struggle, and aspiration.
    Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 1 July 2025
  • The film, directed by designer Alexis Bittar and produced by Oscar winner Bruce Cohen and Bittar, examines how the flag can be reclaimed as a symbol of unity for all Americans, with a focus on the LGBTQ community.
    Marc Malkin, Variety, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • The 2020 Pew study found that Reform Jews are 37% of the American Jewish populace, followed by Jews that claim no particular branch — 32% —and then Conservatives at 17% .
    Michael Weissenstein, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2025
  • Even before the expiration of the war's longest ceasefire in March, Trump has repeatedly issued dramatic ultimatums to pressure Hamas to agree to longer pauses in the fighting that would see the release of more hostages and a return of more aid to Gaza's civilian populace.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • Your next outdoor bash or beachside hang deserves some attention to the cookware and coolers you’re bound up grilling with and using to stuff to the brim with ice and beverages.
    Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 11 July 2025
  • The family moved from Temecula to Point Loma in December and most of the rings are still stuffed in boxes, sitting in the garage.
    Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • What Is Happening in Cape Coral? Cape Coral's housing market exploded during the pandemic, when thousands of out-of-state newcomers flocked to the relatively affordable Florida paradise, snatching up for-sale homes and driving up prices.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
  • Today, visitors flock here in droves every autumn to pick apples and pumpkins, shop for antiques, and take in those small-town fall vibes.
    Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • It’s said that General Eisenhower and General Montgomery huddled here ahead of the D-Day landings.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 10 July 2025
  • That refusal culminated in the siege of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, that left Pence huddled with police in a parking garage.
    Jim Martin, IndyStar, 4 July 2025
Noun
  • The floor is peppered with spare knee pads and helmets, and a swarm of roller derby players outfitted in protective armor congregate in the center of the warehouse.
    Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
  • If a task can be performed in more than one way by equal peers working together—much in the way an ant colony or swarm of bees works—then the system is resistant to censorship and hardware faults and has service continuity due to economic sustainability.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • As is tradition, Bungie threw in a bunch of weird lore stuff that has puzzles that need solving, but often some fun stories as well.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
  • And then there’s a bunch of teams in that (middle) lane.
    Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 10 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Crowd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crowd. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

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