Synonyms of herds

herds 1 of 2

noun

plural of herd

1

as in flocks

a group of domestic animals assembled or herded together

the great herds of cattle that cowboys once drove across the plains

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flocks
• swarms
• droves
• schools
• colonies
• pods
• coveys
• gaggles
• packs
• plumps

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

• masses
• populaces
• crowds
• publics
• people
• millions
• mobs
• commoners
• commons
• multitudes
• cattle
• plebes
• plebeians
• rank and files
• rabbles
• hoi polloi
• proletariats
• scums
• routs
• riffraffs
• rabblements
• tag, rag, and bobtails
• unwasheds
• ragtag and bobtails
• middle classes
• bourgeoisies
• trash

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• elites
• flowers
• fat
• elect
• creams
• choices
• aristocracies
• pinks
• A-lists
• upper crusts
• societies
• picks
• prides
• best
• qualities
• nobilities
• royalties
• gentlefolks
• gentilities
• corps d'elite
• patriciates
• gentries
• peerages
• haute mondes

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

• flocks
• swarms
• throngs
• hordes
• crowds
• masses
• multitudes
• legions
• masses
• armies
• mobs
• bikes
• droves
• millions
• hosts
• routs
• crushes
• presses
• crams
• rabbles
• riffraffs
• piles
• rabblements
• scrums
• gaggles
• mountains
• heaps
• jams
• logjams

herds

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of herd

as in drives

to urge, push, or force onward

the guards briskly herded us through the museum in order to prevent overcrowding

Synonyms & Similar Words

• drives
• runs
• shepherds
• punches
• eggs
• whips
• spurs
• pricks
• hounds
• prods
• presses
• prompts
• exhorts
• wrangles
• goads
• scourges
• flogs

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of herds

Noun

Mahony agreed that a bigger issue is how the deer population has overtaken the area, which has led deer to compete for resources and created unhealthy herds. — Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026

Ushindi, who had been orphaned, was observed struggling to join passing herds amid a devastating drought that had swept across the area. — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026

The changes, however, are happening at a time when the size of American cattle herds are at their lowest levels in 75 years and prices are soaring. — Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026

Elk begin gathering together in large herds, remaining in those groups throughout the winter. — Jim Zumbo, Outdoor Life, 10 Sep. 2026

Instead, the government of Peru tightly restricts how fabric mills can acquire precious strands from the nation’s wild herds. — Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 7 Sep. 2026

But cattle ranchers later spoke out about the move, arguing the beef import plan would undercut their business and hamper their goal of rebuilding their shrinking cattle herds. — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 7 Sep. 2026

Lehman estimated there are only about 10 to 15 farms operating today that have large ostrich herds, and those producers have a better understanding of the animals’ behavior and free range needs. — Dylan Lovan, Fortune, 6 Sep. 2026

The ranchers depend on snowmelt that feeds the Colorado River and its tributaries to nourish grasses and hay pastures for their herds. — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026

Verb

Deep within the backwoods of rural Oklahoma, charismatic and musically gifted Amziah King herds a bluegrass-playing band of misfits while overseeing the premier honey-making operation in town. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026

Max tells him to put it down, releasing Zack in exchange, then picks up the gun himself, herds all four Bowdens into the kitchen, and makes Natalie bind her parents' wrists with plastic restraints. — Jp Mangalindan, Time, 31 July 2026

The father gently herds his family toward her glass booth. — Joseph Trinidad, Longreads, 16 June 2026

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