1
2
as in masses
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 swarms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of herds
Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026
Bilchitz said elephants have highly complex social structures and specific physical and mental needs, and generally live in herds of 20-50 animals that roam large areas in the wild.
—ABC News, 19 May 2026
Elsewhere, herds of goats are used to naturally manage undergrowth across the estate’s forests, helping reduce fire risk in the region’s increasingly dry climate.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 12 May 2026
The event evolved from typical ranch work; cattle herds are often separated into pens for veterinary needs or transport.
—Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
For the bluebuck, the company is partnering with the nonprofit Advanced Conservation Strategies to navigate regulatory thickets in potential host countries where the animals could live on wild land with the proper vegetation and climate, in herds large enough to be genetically viable.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 30 Apr. 2026
Settler shepherds on donkeys lead their herds across the open hills in scenes that closely resemble Palestinian herding routines, which were once common in the same areas.
—Irus Braverman, The Conversation, 27 Apr. 2026
That difference compounds relentlessly over generations, giving the invasive species a demographic edge that bighorn herds simply cannot match.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026
The park is an Unesco Biosphere and is known for its large herds of roaming elephants, which families can observe during game drives.
—Jessica Puckett, Boston Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
Normally, northern white rhino females would live with their young in small herds, but Najin and Fatu have only each other.
—Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026
Bilchitz said elephants have highly complex social structures and specific physical and mental needs, and generally live in herds of 20-50 animals that roam large areas in the wild.
—ABC News, 19 May 2026
Elsewhere, herds of goats are used to naturally manage undergrowth across the estate’s forests, helping reduce fire risk in the region’s increasingly dry climate.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 12 May 2026
The event evolved from typical ranch work; cattle herds are often separated into pens for veterinary needs or transport.
—Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
For the bluebuck, the company is partnering with the nonprofit Advanced Conservation Strategies to navigate regulatory thickets in potential host countries where the animals could live on wild land with the proper vegetation and climate, in herds large enough to be genetically viable.
—Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 30 Apr. 2026
Settler shepherds on donkeys lead their herds across the open hills in scenes that closely resemble Palestinian herding routines, which were once common in the same areas.
—Irus Braverman, The Conversation, 27 Apr. 2026
That difference compounds relentlessly over generations, giving the invasive species a demographic edge that bighorn herds simply cannot match.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026
The park is an Unesco Biosphere and is known for its large herds of roaming elephants, which families can observe during game drives.
—Jessica Puckett, Boston Herald, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
However, one quick look at what companies like Boston Dynamics has achieved with robots like the rather creepy dog-like ‘Spot,’ who herds sheep in New Zealand, and the possibilities seem endless.
—Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for herds
Noun
-
The album, which of course features flocks of pigeons on the cover, boasts a tighter, fuller sound than previous releases, thanks in part to production by Kenneth Blume (Geese, Idles) and Klas Åhlund (Iggy Pop, Katy Perry).—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
14 May 2026
-
Storms are also very structured and denser than flocks of birds.—
Marta Hill,
Scientific American,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Scientists have developed living microrobot swarms made from algae and nanoparticles that can assemble into custom shapes under blue light and disperse on command with red light.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
15 May 2026
-
Subterranean, drywood and dampwood, the three most common types of termites in the United States, all have reproductive castes capable of flying in swarms.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
In confident markets, industrial demand drives silver’s price, Anya-Gafu says.—
Sharon Wu,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
-
Criminalizing hemp and marijuana drives the black market and helps the cartels, not the people.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
In general, juvenile crimes are more often committed with others, and images of roaming throngs of teens has an outsized presence in media and in the public’s amygdala.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
9 May 2026
-
Leo was met by throngs of cheering Italians, some of whom had been waiting since the middle of the night to greet him.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
The Philly crowds have been Rory-obsessed.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
For the calmest conditions, visit in the summer, from around June to August (although late spring and autumn may bring fewer crowds).—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Mikael Granlund’s goal was an unfortunate hop, and the third goal, which was scored by Ian Moore, was a wobbling slap shot through hordes of traffic.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
-
Through the project, hordes of people were confronted with the biases of facial recognition technology for the first time.—
Louis Bury,
ARTnews.com,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
European publics are less diplomatic.—
Ivan Krastev,
Time,
21 Jan. 2026
-
National and international publics relate directly to these leaders, who set the tone for international relations with their actions, their statements, and their preferences.—
MICHAEL KIMMAGE,
Foreign Affairs,
8 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The city belongs to law-abiding residents, not roaming mobs looking to make a name for themselves or to contribute to the chaos or violence, and to get social media attention.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
-
In 1961, Freedom Rider civil rights activists were attacked by violent mobs in Anniston and Birmingham, Alabama.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Herds.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/herds. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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