Synonyms of mob

mob 1 of 2

noun

ˈmäb 

1

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

• crowd
• throng
• swarm
• horde
• flock
• army
• multitude
• legion
• mass
• herd
• press
• masses
• crush
• drove
• rout
• bike
• host
• rabble
• scrum
• millions
• cram
• gaggle
• riffraff
• mountain
• rabblement
• heap
• pile
• jam
• logjam

2

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

• Mafia
• gang
• syndicate
• conspiracy
• clan
• crew
• network
• ring
• cabal
• clique
• crowd
• bunch
• coven
• coterie
• circle
• pack
• junta
• lot
• set
• oligarchy
• galère

3

as in populace

the body of the community as contrasted with the elite

political speeches designed to appeal to the mob

Synonyms & Similar Words

• populace
• crowd
• public
• people
• mass
• commoners
• millions
• commons
• multitude
• herd
• plebeians
• plebs
• rank and file
• cattle
• rabble
• proletariat
• scum
• hoi polloi
• rout
• riffraff
• unwashed
• bourgeoisie
• trash
• rabblement
• middle class
• tag, rag, and bobtail
• ragtag and bobtail

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• elite
• aristocracy
• cream
• flower
• elect
• choice
• pride
• fat
• upper crust
• A-list
• pink
• society
• pick
• best
• nobility
• corps d'elite
• royalty
• quality
• gentry
• patriciate
• gentility
• gentlefolk
• peerage
• haute monde

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

• flock
• crowd
• swarm
• invade
• throng
• beset
• infest
• overrun
• dam
• jam
• obstruct
• plug (up)
• clog

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

Recent Examples of mob

Noun

On a hot July night in 1979, a racist, homophobic mob tried to destroy disco. —Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 7 June 2026

In 1984, following Operation Blue Star, the assassination of India's prime minister by her Sikh bodyguard triggered horrific mob violence that killed thousands of Sikhs across the country, pushing many more to flee. —Akash Pamarthy, NPR, 6 June 2026

Verb

As Saint Mary’s mobbed Makoa Sniffen behind second base, UCLA head coach John Savage walked to shake his counterpart Eric Velasquez’s hand. —Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 1 June 2026

While Amherst-Pelham closed the gap during the final sprint, Earle didn’t relent, crossing the finish line as her teammates mobbed her in celebration. —Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026