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

Paper Tiger follows Hester and Irwin, played by Scarlett Johansson and Teller, respectively, who are raising a family in 1980s Queens, when Irwin’s flashy brother (Adam Driver) sells him on a moneymaking endeavor that leaves them in the crosshairs of the Russian mob. —Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2026

Driver’s ex-cop knows the codes of cutting deals with the Russian mob; Teller’s engineer is the square who can’t grasp how doing things the right way just makes the situation worse. —Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2026

Verb

The boom bap volume had been turned to LOUD, the crowd had mobbed every roof, railing and bit of space with even an inch of a view of the ramps, and with every cool trick came the thundering sound of skateboards clattering on the deck in approval from fellow skaters. —Tony Le Calvez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026

The Flyers mobbed Zegras and pinned him in celebration against the penalty box. —CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026