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

But the forces at play in this new book are more disparate, and perhaps more stubborn, than an angry online mob. — Jeremy Gordon, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2026 The barroom gives way to the Boom Boom room (for bands), which leads to the patio, all designed for mobs of undergrads who want cheap drinks and a place to hang. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026

Verb

The line outside the Manhattan nightclub Joyface was always hectic, but on Saturday night it was particularly mobbed. — Shane O’Neill, Washington Post, 10 Aug. 2026 Ezequiel Duran #20 of the Texas Rangers is mobbed by teammates after a walk-off double that scored the game winning run against the San Francisco Giants in the ninth inning at Globe Life Field on August 04, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. — CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mob

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mob

Noun

The hotel draws a significant business and convention crowd, as well as fans in town for a big game.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
The series follows the Canadian team’s historic run to the World Cup final, where they were ultimately toppled by host country England, going down 33-13 in front of a sellout crowd of 82,000 at Twickenham Stadium in South West London.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of crowd

Noun

The decision was ultimately reversed by a New York Supreme Court judge, on the grounds that Warren violated the populace’s religious liberties.

— Clare Whitton, The Conversation, 17 Sep. 2026
The entire populace is beholden to Billy’s stepmom, Zoe Macon (Poorna Jagannathan), their resident Manhunter in hiding.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of populace

Verb

Local travelers have been flocking there for years for its small boutique hotels and wineries.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Thanks to recent improvements to the state tax incentive, New York is now one of the most cost-friendly places to shoot in the world, with film and TV projects flocking to the state.

— Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of flock

Noun

Set the scene Deep in verdant Bogawantalawa Valley, the serenity here is a welcome break from the throng of the south coast beaches.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Word spread quickly, and soon a throng of smartphone-wielding citizens had surrounded the immigration enforcement van, which couldn’t move because one enterprising, early-arriving activist had slid underneath it.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of throng

Noun

The first trial of Payton and Dandrae Martin lasted weeks and included extensive testimony from police investigators, gang experts and the defendants themselves.

— Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
As Brazil has lost the ability to control its own security agenda, decisions about how to handle criminal gangs operating from its territory are increasingly made outside the country.

— MATIAS SPEKTOR, Foreign Affairs, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of gang

Noun

Beijing envisions a comprehensive AI education system that spans all levels of schooling and extends to the broader public.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
That commitment to authenticity began with the brand’s core foundation before reaching the broader public.

— Chase Jordan October 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of public

Noun

The bombers were moved abruptly in response to multiple streams of intelligence warnings, including a threat that the aircraft could be hit in a swarm drone attack similar to one Ukraine launched against Russia in June 2025.

— Steve Hendrix, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
My interview with Altman had been arranged weeks earlier, just as the first revelations emerged about swarms of rogue AI agents conspiring to hack websites.

— Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of swarm

Browse Nearby Words

moats

mob

mobbed

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Style

“Mob.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mob. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of mob

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