MOB Synonyms: 101 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of mob are crowd , crush , horde , and throng . While all these words mean "an assembled multitude," mob implies a disorderly crowd with the potential for violence. // an angry mob

Q: Where would 'crowd' be a reasonable alternative to 'mob'?

While the synonyms crowd and mob are close in meaning, crowd implies a close gathering and pressing together. // a crowd gathered

Q: In what contexts can 'crush' take the place of 'mob'?

The words crush and mob are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, crush emphasizes the compactness of the group, the difficulty of individual movement, and the attendant discomfort. // a crush of fans

Q: How do 'throng' and 'horde' relate to one another, in the sense of 'mob'?

Both throng and horde suggest movement and pushing. // a throng of reporters // a horde of shoppers

mob 1 of 2

noun

ˈmäb

Definition of mob

as in crowd

a great number of persons or creatures massed together a mob of pigeons soon flocked around us after they spied the bread crumbs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in Mafia

a group involved in secret or criminal activities the club owner was accused of having connections with a mob of racketeers

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in populace

the body of the community as contrasted with the elite political speeches designed to appeal to the mob

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

mob

2 of 2

verb

as in to flock

to move upon or fill (something) in great numbers the snack bar was mobbed as soon as the meeting was over

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun mob differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mob are crowd, crush, horde, and throng. While all these words mean "an assembled multitude," mob implies a disorderly crowd with the potential for violence.

an angry mob

Where would crowd be a reasonable alternative to mob?

While the synonyms crowd and mob are close in meaning, crowd implies a close gathering and pressing together.

a crowd gathered

In what contexts can crush take the place of mob?

The words crush and mob are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, crush emphasizes the compactness of the group, the difficulty of individual movement, and the attendant discomfort.

a crush of fans

How do throng and horde relate to one another, in the sense of mob?

Both throng and horde suggest movement and pushing.

a throng of reporters

a horde of shoppers

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 mob

Noun

Anti-Israel mobs want one state called 'Palestine,' erasing Israel. — FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026 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

Verb

Hallford Stadium glowed red as Tucker players and coaches mobbed each other. — Jack Leo, AJC.com, 5 Sep. 2026 After falling on hard times particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, malls today are in a renaissance as teens mob them once more. — Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mob

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mob

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

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

Verb

The Kabuki Theater in San Francisco was the documentary’s top gross, which stands to reason as tech heads flocked to the film.

— Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2026
From shredding the slopes in the winter to floating on the water in the summer, the unofficial capital of the Sierra Nevada sees outdoorsy travelers constantly flocking to its campsites and cabins.

— Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of flock

Noun

Outside, a throng of revelers were waiting to navigate the same journey as Williams, McRae, and their respective entourages.

— Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 13 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of throng

Noun

And while Haiti has committed to a handover protocol for child gang members, getting the public to accept reintegration of anyone with gang associations is likely to be challenging.

— Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
The changes, which eliminated a requirement from Haiti’s central bank that’s considered a safeguard against individual under sanctions, have raised concerns that people accused of corruption or supporting armed gangs could be elected to office.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of gang

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

Together, the systems covered reconnaissance, swarm defense and control, and precision response capabilities.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
My recent Hartford Courant oped, described how OpenAI agents broke out of their test sandbox and as a coordinated group (swarm) penetrated Hugging Face, a research platform used by AI developers.

— John Caruso, Hartford Courant, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of swarm

Browse Nearby Words

moats

mob

mobbed

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Style

“Mob.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mob. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of mob

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