1
as in swarms
a great number of persons or creatures massed together
a flock of obstreperous reporters at the press conference
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of flocks
Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
There have been four detections of bird flu in poultry flocks in Wisconsin so far in 2026, according to the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
—Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Charismatic leaders such as Bob Knight, Gene Keady, Lou Henson, Lute Olson and Jud Heathcote commanded the spotlight, sparred with one another and drew flocks of fans to their arenas.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Birds in flocks infected with the disease are destroyed to prevent the deadly virus’ spread.
—Donnelle Eller, Des Moines Register, 5 Mar. 2026
Lead poisoning is the top threat, and most flocks remain dependent on captive breeding.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
In addition to bird flu concerns among commercial and backyard flocks, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is asking the public to be on alert for sickness in wild birds as migration ramps up in the coming weeks.
—Alexandra Simon, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
In a typical spring, migrating geese lay eggs in the Hoffs’ backyard and flocks of small grey-and-white birds fill the air.
—Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2026
Bird flocks have been on the rebound after last year’s avian flu outbreak, but that has farmers suddenly selling at a loss.
—Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
Noun
The virus was confirmed in two backyard flocks located in New London County and New Haven County, according to the Connecticut Department of Agriculture.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
There have been four detections of bird flu in poultry flocks in Wisconsin so far in 2026, according to the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
—Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 6 Mar. 2026
Charismatic leaders such as Bob Knight, Gene Keady, Lou Henson, Lute Olson and Jud Heathcote commanded the spotlight, sparred with one another and drew flocks of fans to their arenas.
—Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Birds in flocks infected with the disease are destroyed to prevent the deadly virus’ spread.
—Donnelle Eller, Des Moines Register, 5 Mar. 2026
Lead poisoning is the top threat, and most flocks remain dependent on captive breeding.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
In addition to bird flu concerns among commercial and backyard flocks, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is asking the public to be on alert for sickness in wild birds as migration ramps up in the coming weeks.
—Alexandra Simon, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
In a typical spring, migrating geese lay eggs in the Hoffs’ backyard and flocks of small grey-and-white birds fill the air.
—Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2026
Bird flocks have been on the rebound after last year’s avian flu outbreak, but that has farmers suddenly selling at a loss.
—Vanessa Yurkevich, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flocks
Noun
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October marks the start of butterfly season, with vibrant swarms fluttering well into the green season.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Mar. 2026
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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
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The first of the three legs in an inaugural fundraiser called the Wagora Bike Ride unspools along rocky red clay roads and through rutted jeep tracks, past braying herds of zebra and startled warthogs.—
Tom Vanderbilt,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
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Anglesey farmers, known for their cattle-breeding, would drive their herds across the strait themselves, often losing animals to the waves.—
Julia Buckley,
CNN Money,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
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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
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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
Verb
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Japan and Taiwan China and Japan relations are currently particularly fraught, with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggesting last year Japan might get involved if China invades Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory.—
Jennifer Pak,
NPR,
8 Mar. 2026
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But 1 in 200 will experience irreversible paralysis when the virus invades their nervous system.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Vampires dominated the screen in the 2010s, as gritty zombie hordes had the decade before that.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
6 Mar. 2026
-
And with the release of Live at the Palace, there’s a clear part of Fleming that hopes to show other comedians a way to live with the reactions of online hordes, without letting the fear of them change their work.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flocks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flocks. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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