Thesaurus results for HORDE

Q: How does the noun 'horde' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of horde are crowd , crush , mob , and throng . While all these words mean "an assembled multitude," throng and horde suggest movement and pushing. // a throng of reporters // a horde of shoppers

Q: When is it sensible to use 'crowd' instead of 'horde'?

The synonyms crowd and horde are sometimes interchangeable, but crowd implies a close gathering and pressing together. // a crowd gathered

Q: When might 'crush' be a better fit than 'horde'?

The words crush and horde can be used in similar contexts, but crush emphasizes the compactness of the group, the difficulty of individual movement, and the attendant discomfort. // a crush of fans

Q: When can 'mob' be used instead of 'horde'?

The meanings of mob and horde largely overlap; however, mob implies a disorderly crowd with the potential for violence. // an angry mob

horde

noun

ˈhȯrd

Definition of horde

as in swarm

a great number of persons or creatures massed together a horde of mosquitoes hordes of tourists from the cruise ship crowded the shops and cafes

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the noun horde differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of horde are crowd, crush, mob, and throng. While all these words mean "an assembled multitude," throng and horde suggest movement and pushing.

a throng of reporters

a horde of shoppers

When is it sensible to use crowd instead of horde?

The synonyms crowd and horde are sometimes interchangeable, but crowd implies a close gathering and pressing together.

a crowd gathered

When might crush be a better fit than horde?

The words crush and horde can be used in similar contexts, but crush emphasizes the compactness of the group, the difficulty of individual movement, and the attendant discomfort.

a crush of fans

When can mob be used instead of horde?

The meanings of mob and horde largely overlap; however, mob implies a disorderly crowd with the potential for violence.

an angry mob

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 horde 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, 19 Sep. 2026 The region draws hordes of tourists while simultaneously serving as the nation’s punchline. — Charlotte Observer, 19 Sep. 2026 In This Article On game days at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, hordes of fans can be seen gathered at a small cemetery steps away from the stadium before kickoff. — Elliott Harrell, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2026 After running the gauntlet of crash barriers and hordes of fans, guests were treated to salty French fries and greasy burgers, with gin tonics and martinis to quench their thirst. — Mary Wenthur, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for horde

Recent Examples of Synonyms for horde

Noun

The bombers were moved abruptly in response to multiple streams of intelligence warnings, including a threat that the aircraft could be hit in a swarm drone attack similar to one Ukraine launched against Russia in June 2025.

— Steve Hendrix, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
My interview with Altman had been arranged weeks earlier, just as the first revelations emerged about swarms of rogue AI agents conspiring to hack websites.

— Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of swarm

Noun

Set the scene Deep in verdant Bogawantalawa Valley, the serenity here is a welcome break from the throng of the south coast beaches.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Word spread quickly, and soon a throng of smartphone-wielding citizens had surrounded the immigration enforcement van, which couldn’t move because one enterprising, early-arriving activist had slid underneath it.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of throng

Noun

The hotel draws a significant business and convention crowd, as well as fans in town for a big game.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
The series follows the Canadian team’s historic run to the World Cup final, where they were ultimately toppled by host country England, going down 33-13 in front of a sellout crowd of 82,000 at Twickenham Stadium in South West London.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of crowd

Noun

For all of this and more, multi-generational families, married couples celebrating milestone anniversaries, and celebrities looking for privacy and discretion flock here.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
The groups have watched pigeon flocks flee from hawks and have seen pigeons feeding crop milk, a substance adult pigeons produce near their throat, to their babies.

— KYLE MELNICK THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of flock

Noun

The real gem of Forth is Il Premio, a glam Italian steakhouse that would make any mob wife feel right at home with its moody lighting, mahogany tones, black subway tile, and a playful horse motif.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
Bow down to the left-wing media mob to appease podcasters like Wilder and Hill?

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of mob

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“Horde.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/horde. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of horde

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