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herd 1 of 2

noun

ˈhərd How to pronounce herd (audio)
Definition of herdnext
1
as in flock
a group of domestic animals assembled or herded together the great herds of cattle that cowboys once drove across the plains

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in populace
the body of the community as contrasted with the elite aspire to achieve something, to distinguish yourself from the herd

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in throng
a great number of persons or things massed together gearing up for the herd of holiday shoppers at the mall on the day after Thanksgiving

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herd

2 of 2

verb

as in to drive
to urge, push, or force onward the guards briskly herded us through the museum in order to prevent overcrowding

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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 herd
Noun
In one clip, Lilibet rides her bicycle while a herd of deer run in the background. — Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 14 Sep. 2026 Therefore, scrapes without a licking branch aren’t repeatedly visited and re-used by the local deer herd. — Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 10 Sep. 2026
Verb
Politicians don’t control the conversation, or the attention economy, and neither do the traditional outlets that used to herd this stuff. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 28 Aug. 2026 The father-daughter duo has set up shop ensconced in the woods, herding donkeys and so far evading the violence closing in on them from the outside. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for herd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for herd
  1. flock
  2. populace
  3. throng
  4. drive
  5. crowd
  6. swarm
  7. public
  8. horde
Noun
  • In contrast to his father, the younger Jeffs enforced stricter regulations for his flock to follow.
    — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Already, in South Africa, an ostrich flock that survives bird flu would only be quarantined and rigorously tested for reinfection, not slaughtered.
    — J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of flock
Noun
  • The decision was ultimately reversed by a New York Supreme Court judge, on the grounds that Warren violated the populace’s religious liberties.
    — Clare Whitton, The Conversation, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The entire populace is beholden to Billy’s stepmom, Zoe Macon (Poorna Jagannathan), their resident Manhunter in hiding.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of populace
Noun
  • With her high heels, bright smile, and entourage of millennial assistants and executives, Terekh stands out in her factory, where throngs of middle-aged men lug drone parts, wield power tools and chain-smoke cigarettes.
    — Aidan Stretch, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Over the past few days, the people at the front of the lines have gradually moved closer and closer to the courtroom, to the point where the doors can barely open without bumping into a throng of people.
    — Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of throng
Verb
  • Its onboard offerings, wide array of itineraries and shore excursions—particularly those that are food and wine-driven—easily combine education, adventure, and good fun.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The real Johnny Drama stayed at your house for months, and one of the others drove your kids to school.
    — Lane Brown, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of drive
Noun
  • The small park in front of the adobe-looking Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa was packed on a Friday night with an all-ages crowd listening to live music.
    — David G. Allan, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Law enforcement was present along with a crowd of about a hundred protesters.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of crowd
Noun
  • This comes as the war in Ukraine has already seen widespread deployment of such uncrewed surface vessels in combat, along with swarms of flying attack drones and ground robots.
    — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Patrick testified and found himself at the center of an online swarm of sleuths and influencers dissecting every detail of the case, developing theories that portray him as uncaring, unfaithful and even the murderer of his children.
    — Ross Douthat, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of swarm
Noun
  • Despite communism’s collapse in 20th century Soviet bloc countries, the last decade has witnessed a surprising surge in interest in communism and socialism among the US public and journalists globally.
    — Luba Kassova, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The challenges, some fear, are overwhelming for a system beloved by the American public and monumental for preserving America’s legacy and natural beauty.
    — Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of public
Noun
  • But none have had the kind of folksy humor and candor that can draw hordes of investors each year, like those attending Berkshire Hathaway’s annual shareholder meeting.
    — Josh Funk, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • But none have had the kind of folksy humor and candor that can draw hordes of investors each year, like those attending Berkshire Hathaway's annual shareholder meeting.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of horde

Phrases Containing herd

Browse Nearby Words

herculean
herd
herded
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Cite this Entry

“Herd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/herd. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on herd

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about herd

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