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
This was a crowd of critics and journalists from around the world. Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 15 May 2025 While panel discussions and keynote speakers drew smaller crowds, community-building events like the Boba and Sustainability events drew in more students and increased the likelihood of attendees returning to future TCNJ Votes events. Jackie Romano, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
Verb
That night 250,000 people crowded into Times Square to celebrate. Nicolaus Mills, New York Daily News, 8 May 2025 Shelves stocked with ceramics, fusion glass, and jewelry crowd the front room, while photography and paintings hang on the walls leading to the two studios. Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 6 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for crowd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crowd
Noun
  • Like his previous court appearances, throngs of fans showed up to support Mangione outside the courthouse in Lower Manhattan, many waiting in line to secure a spot for viewing the proceedings.
    Ben Brachfeld, People.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • After each vote, the ballots are burned and smoke is released from the Sistine Chapel's chimney as a signal to the throngs holding vigil in St. Peter's Square.
    Phoebe Natanson, ABC News, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Their destruction releasing emissions equivalent to millions of transatlantic flights, while housing countless unique species and Indigenous communities who have lived there for generations.
    David Vetter, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
  • Officials from both communities expressed concerns about congestion as residents and visitors drive to popular stores and restaurants.
    Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • Historian William Dalrymple traces the current sectarian divisions to the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb, who shattered the empire’s religious pluralism by trying to impose orthodox Islam on the populace.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2025
  • But those environmentalists would have recognized, at least a little, the political climate: a corrupt Republican Administration and an energized populace willing to take to the streets.
    Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The marinated turkey or chicken is stuffed into a French roll intended to soak up the recipe’s recaudo or marinade, along with slices of tomato, cucumber, radishes and sprigs of watercress.
    Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2025
  • So many dogs were stuffed into the small Woodside home Thursday morning that some were found cowering in closets and kitchen cupboards, said officials from Animal Care Centers of NYC, who rescued the animals with the ASPCA.
    Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • Cardinals flock to Rome from all over the world to elect the next leader of the Catholic church, and this time around, the process will begin on Wednesday, May 7.
    Wendy Grossman Kantor, People.com, 7 May 2025
  • Audiences around the world recently flocked to theaters to see the feature again, and a new release of the album has turned it into a commercial success once more — not just a minor one, but a true bestseller.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
Verb
  • Another photo showed the three huddled underneath a white duvet in a large bed.
    Hannah Sacks, People.com, 11 May 2025
  • Many were chatting with other mourners, others were praying, while some were huddling up against each other, ready to spend a rather chilly and uncomfortable night outdoors.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • In the 1840s, Maryland physician Gideon Smith took a shine to cicada tracking and began crowd-sourcing sightings, writing to newspapers and asking locals to contact him with reports of the emergence of new cicada swarms.
    Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 8 May 2025
  • Standardized, recoverable platforms simplify coordination since the swarm could be comprised of one drone type, with different drones carrying different payloads.
    Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
Noun
  • After building an 11-run lead by getting a bunch of hits and getting some help, the Padres held on for a 13-9 victory over the possibly historically horrible Rockies on Friday night at Coors Field.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 May 2025
  • The Vince Vaughn Netflix dramedy leads a bunch of new flicks in May that have arrived on your favorite streaming services, from Hulu and Amazon's Prime Video to Peacock and Max.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Crowd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crowd. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

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