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 moment the plane landed, a mob poured onto the runway and began chasing it by jeep, by motorbike, and on foot. Louis Menand, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026 Nicholson was part of the ensemble cast of Martin Scorsese's 2006 mob film, The Departed, alongside legendary actors Mark Wahlberg, Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon. Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
Pogačar and van der Poel were mobbed by photographers and warmly hugged each other after the finish. ABC News, 5 Apr. 2026 He was mobbed by teammates right after the final buzzer sounded at SAP Center. Janie McCauley, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mob
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mob
Noun
  • In his post-match press conference, Arteta praised the courage of his players to play short, even after the Emirates crowd weren’t pleased with how that first move failed.
    Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • The same goes for facilities like Escape Lounges, which may cut off access, add a waitlist or stop selling day passes based on real-time crowd conditions.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 27 Apr. 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
  • Fishback, on the other hand, stands strongly opposed to these corporate interests while remaining electable to the general populace.
    Thomas C. Shank, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Barak was cognizant of how the Arab populace would perceive Israeli involvement.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • But even wild gusts couldn’t keep these top acts down at the three-day event, which had people flocking to the Mane Stage to see headliners Cody Johnson (Friday), Lainey Wilson (Saturday) and Post Malone (Sunday).
    Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2026
  • In 2020, stargazers flocked to dark sky locations to view the cosmic traveler Neowise, a visible comet then 64 million miles from Earth, with a dusty tail extending more than a million miles.
    Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Honk asked if many people, perhaps not seeing those signs, believe a throng of solo drivers are violating the law.
    Jim Radcliffe, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
  • 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, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Although Nikki, who has a knack for DIY mechanical engineering, is able to furnish the gang with new gadgets, their plans pretty much always come down to almost getting eaten by some enormous otherworldly creature before being rescued at the last possible millisecond by El’s telekinesis.
    Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
  • The Mexican Mafia, described as the largest and most powerful gang operating from inside state prisons, controls gangs throughout Southern California.
    Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • That same year, the federal government tasked the research group RAND to look at the WEA system's ability to reach the American public.
    Andrea Lucia, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
  • One viral TikTok video shows a man approaching young adults and asking them to chug a BuzzBallz Biggie in public for $100.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Ceija Stojka’s small paintings at the Drawing Center swarm with such harrowing incident that viewers may not spot the mystery in the bottom right corner of many of her canvases.
    Ben Davis, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
  • If the swarm enters your home or other structure such as a shed, contact a professional pest control or beekeeper immediately to eliminate the nest.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Mob.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mob. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.

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