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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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
Dancers from Parsons whirled around in their stocking feet, finding their way through a crowd that included Astrid Hill, Chris and Christina Cuomo, and Lisa and Richard Perry. Vanessa Grigoriadis, Vanity Fair, 21 July 2026 The 30-year-old was pictured sitting at the front of the bus while holding the World Cup trophy aloft to the huge crowd of supporters. Kirsty Hatcher, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026
Verb
Sant Pol de Mar swaps crowded stretches of sand for quieter coves, whitewashed buildings and a noticeably calmer atmosphere than Barcelona. Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026 This movement can leave some areas crowded with cells while others contain too few. Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for crowd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crowd
Noun
  • That’s why Fox Sports frequently showed the throng of fans in KC celebrating during games.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 17 July 2026
  • Given the throng of big names at Tuesday’s match, there should be no shortage of dignitary shots with Messi in town Wednesday.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 15 July 2026
Noun
  • The rebrand reflects a broader shift in how the disability community wants to be represented, and who gets to make that call.
    Keely Cat-Wells, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
  • The pastor didn’t suggest endorsing candidates, but instead focusing on issues, like advocating for immigration reform, and using religion as a tool for community organizing.
    Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026
Noun
  • Their past two victories against Switzerland and Egypt came with the help of controversial calls that had the soccer-watching populace buzzing about potential favoritism toward Argentina.
    AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 14 July 2026
  • Trump’s decision to deploy these soldiers has thoroughly spooked a populace that already distrusts the president.
    Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026
Verb
  • Expect pita foldies stuffed with wagyu, ahi tuna or falafel, breakfast pitas, smash burgers, Jamaican beef patties, vegan soft serve and smoothies like the Island Love (coconut milk, ginger) and the Queen City (matcha, kale, pineapple).
    Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 21 July 2026
  • Now don't panic, but this recipe does require one additional step prior to stuffing tortillas with a creamy, dreamy mixture of meat and cheese.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 21 July 2026
Verb
  • Supporters flocked there, the club went on to sign Shearer for a world-record fee and, suddenly, potential was irrelevant.
    George Caulkin, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • Team Coco followers flocked to the comments section on YouTube to commiserate over O’Brien’s, err, wet look.
    Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 21 July 2026
Verb
  • One year and two days after Walker started his program in Springfield, the Cardinals huddled in the visiting clubhouse at Wrigley Field on July 4.
    Katie Woo, New York Times, 15 July 2026
  • In some, writers huddle under blankets in chairs watching playbacks of action sequences.
    Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 13 July 2026
Noun
  • Tehran has leaned on this asymmetric approach for decades, betting that a swarm of small, hard-to-detect boats can offset its lack of larger, more advanced submarines.
    Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 11 July 2026
  • Less than two months later a swarm of earthquakes ripped along the ridge.
    Sam Macdonald, Scientific American, 8 July 2026
Noun
  • Add 1 small bunch collard greens, ribs and stems removed, leaves torn, and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until wilted and bright green, about 4 minutes.
    Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 July 2026
  • This four-to-five-hour World War I experience, based on the infamous Gallipoli campaign, spent a couple of months as a PC exclusive (and gardnered a bunch of Very Positive feedback).
    Matt Gardner, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Crowd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crowd. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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