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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
Critics argue that policies like HR 1775 have the power to bury the truth about historical events like the Tulsa Race Massacre when white mobs murdered hundreds of Black residents and decimated the thriving African American commerce district known as Black Wall Street. Kristal Brent Zook, Essence, 16 June 2025 One of Trump’s first acts in office was to pardon those involved in the largest act of domestic political violence this century — the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol by a pro-Trump mob intended to prevent Congress from certifying Trump’s 2020 election loss. Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2025
Verb
His teammates met him along the glass, mobbing him in celebration. Peter Baugh, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025 He belly flopped onto the ice in ecstasy and relief before he was mobbed by his teammates, and then the game stopped to celebrate the greatest goal scorer who ever lived. Chris Jones, The Atlantic, 6 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mob
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mob
Noun
  • There’s no question who is really at fault for all the misdirection: Donald Trump, a man who has been obsessed with size—whether measured in square footage, crowd attendance or net worth—for years.
    Dan Alexander, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • Among the many Messi fans in the Atlanta crowd was 11-year-old Koen King, who traveled five and a half hours from Ashborough, N.C., for the game.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • Seven people were indicted in connection to the ‘largest jewelry heist in U.S. history.’ 19 people were charged in an alleged Mexican Mafia conspiracy to kill L.A. rap artist.
    Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2025
  • After coming up short en route to the big game, losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship last season, the signal-caller is candid about his mindset — and what needs to happen for the team and their beloved Bills Mafia to get to the next level.
    Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • This offers the populace some measure of accountability and contributes to the expectation that officers will perform their legal duties in keeping with their own departmental policies and within the boundaries of the law.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 8 June 2025
  • Imagine arriving in Florence ready to guide and instruct the populace and instead being tussled over like a toy between two toddlers!
    The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • Elegant women and dandies rapidly flocked to it, including royalty and nobility such as the Countess of Castiglione, Princess of Metternich, Prince of Wales and Duchess of Berry.
    Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
  • Investors are flocking to the league, despite the soaring prices, which has enabled teams to sell stakes at a premium to what a control price would be, according to bankers.
    Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • Two National Guard members were stationed outside the Metropolitan Detention Center, surrounded by a throng of reporters surveying the graffiti and aftermath of Tuesday night’s protest.
    Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2025
  • As European cities grapple with overtourism, many have implemented tax hikes on tourists in an effort to curb the throngs of visitors.
    Ashley J. DiMella, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2025
Noun
  • Last summer, an Aurora apartment complex was at the center of the TdA gang takeover controversy after a viral video showed heavily armed gang members taking over an apartment by busting down the door with heavy artillery.
    Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2025
  • These are not the criminals, murderers, gang members and drug dealers we were told would be removed from our country.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2025
Noun
  • The information available to the voting public focuses typically on the findings of a routine physical exam, resting electrocardiogram and standard laboratory tests.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 23 June 2025
  • While Mojtaba is ideologically aligned with his father, Khomeini is viewed as a more moderate figure who could appeal to a discontented public and ease international tensions.
    Amanda Castro Hannah Parry Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • The swarm to support his latest move marked the latest bit of whiplash across the MAGA ranks as they have been divided since the Saturday strikes.
    Al Weaver, The Hill, 25 June 2025
  • In another, a suspect was tackled to the pavement near a bench as a swarm of police closed in around him.
    Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 24 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mob.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mob. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

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