Synonyms of horde

horde

noun

ˈhȯrd 

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

• swarm
• throng
• crowd
• flock
• mob
• legion
• multitude
• army
• herd
• mass
• masses
• host
• rout
• crush
• press
• bike
• drove
• millions
• scrum
• cram
• rabble
• gaggle
• pile
• mountain
• heap
• riffraff
• rabblement
• jam
• logjam

Synonym Chooser

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

Recent Examples of horde

Derek Shelton sat on the bench in the visitor’s dugout at PNC Park hours before Friday’s game and was greeted by a horde of local reporters standing in a semi-circle around him ready to take him down memory lane. —Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 29 May 2026

As the World Cup approaches, the MBTA is rolling out extensive strategies — some related to permanent improvements — to help hordes of visitors navigate the transit system and make it to their destinations, T officials told the board Thursday. —Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 29 May 2026

The two Tier One snipers inserted into the crash site of Mike Durant's helicopter in an attempt to protect him and save his life as a horde of heavily armed Somali fighters descended on the area. —David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2026

Unfortunately, with the rosebuds often come a horde of rose aphids. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 20 May 2026