MOB Synonyms: 101 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

mob 1 of 2

noun

ˈmäb

Definition of mob

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

Relevance

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

as in populace

the body of the community as contrasted with the elite political speeches designed to appeal to the mob

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

Per photos shared by DeuxMoi, the Verity actress embraced a mob wife dressing moment in an oversized cheetah print jacket. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 17 Oct. 2026 Organized crime helped build up Las Vegas, and a body stuffed in a barrel was known to signify a mob killing. — CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Verb

Hallford Stadium glowed red as Tucker players and coaches mobbed each other. — Jack Leo, AJC.com, 5 Sep. 2026 After falling on hard times particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, malls today are in a renaissance as teens mob them once more. — Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mob

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mob

Noun

The menu leans into crowd-pleasing seafood and vegetable-forward dishes, but pastas and hearty mains like a pork belly with roasted new potato and pane carasau cannot be missed.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026
Never before have Latinos occupied the top spots in both chambers of the Legislature and the governor’s mansion simultaneously, Rivas told the cheering crowd.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of crowd

Noun

Sure, in 1854, the first prepacked box of Whitman's chocolates was introduced, guaranteeing to the American populace a standard of staleness, of flavorlessness, for years to come.

— Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2026
The idea is that voting is not the only way to drive change; demonstration is considered a bedrock value, a way to make elites hear the populace and to defend freedoms.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of populace

Verb

This flocked wreath lights up and is adorned with a silky velvet green ribbon at less than $20.

— Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2026
Falkman was studying at Pratt Institute and Paretti served as his guide to the art world and the bohemian crowd that flocked to the Chelsea Hotel.

— Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of flock

Noun

Salem is a vibrant, thriving, bustling city, attracting throngs of tourists in the autumn.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
Guests of the hotel have a special opportunity to visit the villa privately, away from the throngs of tourists that visit from near and far.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of throng

Noun

Investors bailed anyway, compounding a dreadful week capped off by the gang that couldn't shoot straight at Intel .

— Jim Cramer, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2026
Since then, the country has become increasingly isolated even as the smaller Hugo Chavez International Airport in Cap-Haïtien emerged as the new international gateway amid the escalating gang violence in Port-au-Prince and neighboring cities.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of gang

Noun

Their software was open to inspection by parties, universities and watchdogs for 11 months before being digitally signed and sealed in public.

— Solly Boussidan, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
And the late-night viewing public got to be a part of that process this week, thanks to Late Night With Seth Meyers.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of public

Noun

On Friday evening, swarms of Dolly Parton lookalikes took over the East Village for The Frankie Shop and Unemployed’s fourth annual Halloween bash.

— Simone Cook, Vogue, 1 Nov. 2026
The Southern and Northern Taurids are part of the broader Taurid Meteoroid Complex, a vast swarm of interplanetary dust, rocks, comets and asteroids thought to be related to Encke.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of swarm

Browse Nearby Words

moats

mob

mobbed

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Mob.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mob. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of mob

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verb

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