as in throngs
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
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Recent Examples of hordes
The book, which is from Australia, follows Bee and her fellow runaways, who discover a new friend, Paco, is a Lost Boy from Neverland who needs them to fight hordes of pirates led by a merciless new leader.
—
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2025
Enjoy large-scale hack-and-slash combat, infused with the unique Zonai technology to devastate enemy hordes.
—PC Magazine, 1 Nov. 2025
The event drew in hordes of celebrities, including Emily Ratajkowski, Brooks Nader, Cher, Viola Davis, Elizabeth Olsen and Venus Williams.
—Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2025
More important, though, is the fact that the judge who posited that hordes of deserters could follow Vovchenko’s example seems to be overstepping his role.
—Air Mail, 25 Oct. 2025
Back in 1961, residents of Capitola woke up to find that hordes of black seabirds were slamming into cars, windows and people's homes and dying.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
The birds have survived in hordes in the deserts, but civilization nearly always spells their doom.
—Jack O'Connor, Outdoor Life, 23 Oct. 2025
With sunflower sea stars suddenly all but gone from their home range, sea urchin numbers exploded, and the hungry urchin hordes descended upon kelp forests.
—JSTOR Daily, 17 Oct. 2025
Typically, by the time the first scene hits the screen, handfuls (more likely hordes) of people have had first looks including cast, crew, friends, family, media, agents, managers, publicists, etc.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2025
Enjoy large-scale hack-and-slash combat, infused with the unique Zonai technology to devastate enemy hordes.
—PC Magazine, 1 Nov. 2025
The event drew in hordes of celebrities, including Emily Ratajkowski, Brooks Nader, Cher, Viola Davis, Elizabeth Olsen and Venus Williams.
—Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2025
More important, though, is the fact that the judge who posited that hordes of deserters could follow Vovchenko’s example seems to be overstepping his role.
—Air Mail, 25 Oct. 2025
Back in 1961, residents of Capitola woke up to find that hordes of black seabirds were slamming into cars, windows and people's homes and dying.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
The birds have survived in hordes in the deserts, but civilization nearly always spells their doom.
—Jack O'Connor, Outdoor Life, 23 Oct. 2025
With sunflower sea stars suddenly all but gone from their home range, sea urchin numbers exploded, and the hungry urchin hordes descended upon kelp forests.
—JSTOR Daily, 17 Oct. 2025
Typically, by the time the first scene hits the screen, handfuls (more likely hordes) of people have had first looks including cast, crew, friends, family, media, agents, managers, publicists, etc.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hordes
Noun
-
Shooting scene becomes site of vigil Hours after the shooting, throngs of neighbors gathered at a vigil near the scene to remember Good and express their outrage at her killing.—
Amanda Musa,
CNN Money,
8 Jan. 2026
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In its early years, the mall hosted a variety of celebrities and entertainment, from walk-around cartoon characters for throngs of exuberant kids to a visit from Chicago radio icon Dick Biondi for autographs.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The 236-foot former drug-runner ship Hilma Hooker offers one of the most impressive wreck dives in the region, though the vertical walls at The Cliff, vibrant reefs at Sweet Dreams, and swarms of sealife at Salt Pier are just as unforgettable.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Jan. 2026
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The system uses several 50 kW industrial laser units to create a single powerful beam that kills drone swarms, cruise missiles, and fast-moving threats from a long distance.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
26 Dec. 2025
Noun
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To prevent their flocks from contracting bird flu, officials suggest poultry owners keep their animals away from wild and migratory birds, isolate animals with signs of illness, disinfect equipment and other items, and limit the flock's contact with people.—
Laura Fay,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
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Recent outbreaks were documented at poultry farms and backyard flocks in states including Arkansas, Kansas, Maryland, Nebraska and New York, affecting more than 128,000 birds combined.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
31 Dec. 2025
Noun
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As the confrontation escalated, agents deployed a flash-bang device while crowds threw bricks and paint cans from rooftops.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
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Zion National Park is stunning and peaceful in winter, with fewer crowds and rare access to scenic drives by personal vehicle.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hordes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hordes. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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