crowd 1 of 2

Definition of crowdnext
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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2
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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

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
Bhosle died on Sunday aged 92 after suffering a heart attack, and huge crowds are gathering ahead of a her funeral, which takes place this evening in Mumbai, India, at Shivaji Park. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2026 One of the incidents was a January encounter where top Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino was seen deploying a chemical agent into a crowd of protesters, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said. Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
The segment is becoming increasingly crowded, with demand driven by families and long-distance users seeking a mix of electric efficiency and extended range flexibility. Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 11 Apr. 2026 The Democratic primary field will likely be crowded. Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for crowd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crowd
Noun
  • This is a popular sunset spot, so expect throngs of other tourists (but don't worry, seeing the spectacle with fellow travelers can actually be quite fun).
    Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2026
  • The couple stood in a throng of people waiting for Péter Magyar, who led the opposition to victory.
    Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Marry, have children, and provide for them; attend church on Sundays, find your moral footing, and give generously to a community that shares your values.
    Emma Green, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
  • There is no threat to the community.
    Adam Thompson, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Barak was cognizant of how the Arab populace would perceive Israeli involvement.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026
  • The Iranian regime is deeply unpopular with its populace.
    Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Marcelin broke up a pass to Jordan Lyle and stuffed a run by Chris Wheatley-Humphrey in the red zone.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2026
  • Bluetti's stuffed a large-capacity home backup battery – designed specifically to keep your fridge running when the power goes out – into a compact shape that's easy to fit and forget right in your kitchen.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Now, sightseers are flocking to his hometown.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 13 Apr. 2026
  • Manufacturers are flocking to the country, escaping geopolitical uncertainty with a China +1 strategy.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The boiler is broken, so Kuhner huddles by a small space heater in his office in the winter.
    Emma Green, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
  • The opening act had started playing—a local band that never broke out, Sacagawea—but Russ and Cherry just huddled a little closer and kept talking.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The swarm of Gulfstreams, Phenoms and Challengers is straining Augusta Regional Airport.
    Robert Frank, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
  • The power of drone swarms on battlefields has been witnessed in multiple wars to date.
    Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The reptile guys are all just a bunch of normal schmucks looking to go find snakes.
    Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2026
  • The squads have scrimmaged each other a bunch — and even have some connective tissue in Brandt Bronico, who is now with CLTFC but played for the Independence for a time — but never in a real setting like this one.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Crowd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crowd. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.

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