MASSES Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

masses 1 of 2

noun

plural of mass

as in people

the body of the community as contrasted with the elite the masses demanded the elimination of tax breaks for the rich

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masses

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of mass

as in accumulates

to gradually form into a layer, pile, or mass clouds massing on the western side of the mountain range

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for masses

Noun

Another 13 people were wounded on downtown Sacramento’s K Street and 10th Street, in what became the deadliest mass shooting in the city’s history.

— Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2026
Organizers say more than 125,000 people are expected throughout the event, bringing in millions of dollars for the local economy.

— Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 19 June 2026

Definition of people

Verb

If the brain’s plumbing doesn’t work properly, research shows, cellular garbage accumulates, and a cleaner brain may be a healthier one.

— Richard Sima, Washington Post, 6 Oct. 2026
Because microorganisms in water turn regular mercury into methylmercury, a toxic chemical form that binds tightly to fish tissue, the heavy metal accumulates to higher levels in aquatic animals.

— Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of accumulates

Noun

Carnegie Hall seats well over 3,000 people, but this intense, no-frills performance film gives life to the old saying about feeling alone in a crowd.

— Damon Wise, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
That left a thinner-than-expected crowd, mostly made up of local executives, to hear the kingdom seek deeper international cooperation to secure energy supplies and trade routes.

— Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of crowd

Verb

An agent that gathers records or checks for required information may operate with limited intervention.

— Heather Bassett, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
When a storm, usually fed by unusually warm water, suddenly gathers a lot of strength, sustaining winds that increase in speed by at least 35 mph (56 kph) in 24 hours, it is called rapid intensification.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of gathers

Noun

Human rights lawyer Rosy Auguste Ducena, who advocates for the rights of victims of violence, says the Haitian public is fed up with the slow pace of change.

— Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
Caltrans said the deck replacement is necessary to preserve the structural integrity of the bridge and improve safety for maintenance workers, truck drivers and the traveling public.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of public

Noun

Despite Jack’s best efforts to bring Christmas cheer to the world, his gifts horrify the populace.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 Oct. 2026
The decision was ultimately reversed by a New York Supreme Court judge, on the grounds that Warren violated the populace’s religious liberties.

— Clare Whitton, The Conversation, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of populace

Noun

Organized crime helped build up Las Vegas, and a body stuffed in a barrel was known to signify a mob killing.

— CBS News, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Homicide detectives took over the investigation and determined he had been murdered right around the time when mob organization was dying out in Sin City.

— Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of mob

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.

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massed

masses

massing

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“Masses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/masses. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of masses

noun

verb

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