mob 1 of 2

Definition of mobnext

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

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
The mob wife aesthetic first took off about two years ago, with people all embracing the bad ass drama of TV and film's fiercest mob wives—think lots of fur, gold jewelry, and, yes, big, bouncy hair. Meg Walters, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026 Picklers have been known to mob courts, with matches known to start at dawn in some instances. Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
Verb
The Bulldogs drew up a play for Jake Heidbreder, who calmly drained an open 18-footer on the left baseline at the buzzer and was mobbed by students spilling out of the Save Mart Center stands. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026 That will be easier said than done, however, as he'll be mobbed by hundreds, potentially over 1,000 look-alikes. Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mob
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mob
Noun
  • There are still moments of showy technical prowess (including crowd scenes where thousands of butterflies fly across the screen at one time), but the film’s rounded and adorable character designs for its animals prove refreshingly simple.
    Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 2 Mar. 2026
  • Just over a year ago, the city also reopened Sixth Street to vehicle traffic on weekends, reversing years of street closures that had been put in place to accommodate heavy nightlife crowds.
    Alex Driggars, Austin American Statesman, 2 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The series follows the Black Mafia Family in Detroit and is based on a true story.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
  • On the surface, the crime drama follows the rise and fall of the Black Mafia Family — one of the most influential crime families in the country.
    Kayla Grant, People.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • That combination makes for a happy society and ensures a populace that drives a productive economy for years to come.
    Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 20 Feb. 2026
  • The announcers need to study intensely, learning details not only about an athlete, but what a particular sport means to the populace of a country halfway around the world.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Apartments cheaper than cars Some are flocking to places like Hegang, a cold and remote coal mining city in northeastern China famous for shockingly cheap housing prices.
    Albee Zhang, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2026
  • In January, 1976, at the start of the Bicentennial Congress, politicians flocked to the National Statuary Hall to watch the opening of the exterior steel door.
    Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The film shows places of uncommon beauty, along with the throngs of visitors who clamber to see them and, crucially, preserve their experiences in photos.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2026
  • Come summer, throngs of tourists descend on the likes of Florence, Rome and Venice to marvel at the historic architecture and sample the delicious food.
    Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 3 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • This is the hilarious frogs-to-riches origin story of Jim Henson's beloved Muppet pals starring Kermit and the gang.
    Karen Cicero, Parents, 5 Mar. 2026
  • Gonzalez directed drug trafficking, violence and other criminal activities within 18th Street territory, including extortion and mediating gang disputes, according to the indictment.
    Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The figures would suggest some support among the US public for going after Iran’s nuclear program, though other polling suggests most Americans disapprove of the strikes and thought the administration should have given diplomacy more of a shot.
    Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 5 Mar. 2026
  • Bart Jansen White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump thinks the American public the supports the war against Iran.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 5 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • In the cat-and-mouse game of drone warfare, the Ukrainians have also built up a layered defense against the Shahed and its variants – and claim to have seen significant success in countering Russian drone swarms.
    Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Those warheads typically carry 30 kg to 50 kg of explosives and can pack a punch, particularly when used in large swarms, with advanced versions capable of a range of up to 1,200 miles.
    Dylan Butts, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mob.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mob. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on mob

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster