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mob

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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
Prosecutors said the pair is part of an Eastern European criminal organization with ties to Iran and wanted to use the bounty to build power and influence in the Russian mob. Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2025 In the end, of course, an angry mob does chase the monsters around the castle, only to be chased by them in return (the monsters having rediscovered their reason for being), which results in some serviceable monster slapstick. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
But Klein kept going and was mobbed by teammates after Freeman’s home run. Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 28 Oct. 2025 Freeman was mobbed by teammates after hitting the walk-off home run. Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 28 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mob
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mob
Noun
  • Davidson led for nearly 39 minutes of action, answering each Charlotte comeback attempt run with a flurry of its own, quieting a Halton Arena crowd of 3,712.
    Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 12 Nov. 2025
  • Later Punch would finally ignite the Schollmaier Arena crowd with a one-handed slam dunk in transition.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Nov. 2025
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
  • As 39% of the United Kingdom populace struggles to heat their homes, Edelstyn and Powell huddle under blankets themselves, trying vainly to warm up with endless mugs of tea.
    Will Tizard, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Each district sends two children as tributes to the fight-to-the-death Hunger Games, concocted by the capitol to keep the populace distracted.
    Adam Bell, Charlotte Observer, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Fans flocked to the announcement in droves, honing in on the little details of the poster.
    James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025
  • One fall night under the neon sign at Ground Zero, groups of tourists flocked in to hear Heavy Suga’ play originals mixed with blues classics and Muddy Waters hits.
    USA Today, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • As the day wears on, the crowd swells to a formidable throng.
    Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Videos from Isfahan, Arak, and other cities show throngs of hijab-less women outdoors.
    Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • How Nashville police got involved Nashville Police Chief John Drake said the department's specialized investigation unit saw a rise in violent crime two years ago, including non-lethal shootings and homicides connected to the MS-13 gang.
    Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Keeley plays Jayson, the leader of the gang, the show’s most obvious villain.
    Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • If this year’s March and June get-togethers were learning exercises — including for the staff after Tuchel began work in January — the next two and the one starting today (Sunday) are all about creating an atmosphere the players and the English public can all buy into.
    Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
  • And to get to play these characters that are layered and complex and multidimensional is really fun — anything where there's a public and a private life, and a secret, and different elements at play, and having to keep different balls in the air is really fulfilling and fun.
    Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Lateef dealt with a swarm of attention last week after 22-game starter Dylan Raiola, the sophomore former five-star prospect, suffered a broken fibula in the second half of a 21-17 loss against USC.
    Mitch Sherman, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Apparently, some chemical the art department used for finishing touches on the set ended up attracting a swarm of wasps overnight, which no one noticed until the morning we were set to shoot there.
    Mike Miller, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mob.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mob. Accessed 21 Nov. 2025.

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