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swarm 1 of 3

noun

ˈswȯrm How to pronounce swarm (audio)
Definition of swarmnext
as in throng
a great number of persons or creatures massed together a swarm of tourists descends upon the island every summer

Synonyms & Similar Words

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swarm

2 of 3

verb (1)

1
as in to flock
to move upon or fill (something) in great numbers meeting little resistance, the pirates swarmed the decks of the merchant ship

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2
as in to burst
to be copiously supplied at this time of year that Mexican resort swarms with college students on spring break

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

swarm

3 of 3

verb (2)

as in to climb
to move (as up or over something) often with the help of the hands in holding or pulling one of the physical challenges had competitors swarming over a pile of logs

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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 swarm
Noun
After realizing a swarm of AI agents broke out of testing and hacked rival companies, OpenAI paused AI training for new models and promised to strengthen its cyber defenses. — Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026 From hundreds of drones to an intelligent network China has made significant progress with homogeneous swarms, where large numbers of similar drones operate together. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2026
Verb
In the park, old people sat around tables playing mahjong, and children swarmed the playgrounds. — Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026 The order, which originated with a USFS Bat Conservation Strategy recommendation, is meant to reduce human disturbance during fall swarming, hibernation and spring emergence, according to federal documents. — Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for swarm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swarm
  1. throng
  2. flock
  3. burst
  4. climb
  5. crowd
  6. buzz
  7. scramble
  8. horde
Noun
  • With her high heels, bright smile, and entourage of millennial assistants and executives, Terekh stands out in her factory, where throngs of middle-aged men lug drone parts, wield power tools and chain-smoke cigarettes.
    — Aidan Stretch, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Over the past few days, the people at the front of the lines have gradually moved closer and closer to the courtroom, to the point where the doors can barely open without bumping into a throng of people.
    — Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of throng
Verb
  • Fans don’t often flock to see something so aesthetically subpar.
    — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2026
  • Washington did grow, and for years tourists and residents flocked to the Capitol’s wide terrace overlooking the National Mall, especially at sunset.
    — Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of flock
Verb
  • The skins cling like wet T-shirts to the filling beneath, with each plump bundle nearly bursting with big, discernible chunks of shrimp and ground pork.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Heaps of plot aren’t required, of course, but one watches Color of the Sun with a constant itch for something to burst through the movie’s mannered stillness and liven up the picture.
    — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of burst
Verb
  • Industry statistics show that residential electricity prices in California run 89% above the national average and have climbed nearly 9% compared to the same period last year, while fuel prices across the state continue to set new highs.
    — , CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Oil prices have climbed back above the $100 per barrel mark this week as fighting in the Straight of Hormuz and Red Sea has intensified.
    — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of climb
Noun
  • In January, Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupted, leading officials at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park to warn visitors about heavy traffic, crowds and potential hazards.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The 35,000-strong crowd is happy to forgive Céline Dion for what becomes a 47-minute delay.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of crowd
Verb
  • Flies buzz over the rotting carcass, which is riven by claw marks so unnaturally deep that no one can determine whomauledit.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
  • At the AfD’s final preelection rally Thursday in the state capital, Magdeburg, a crowd of 6,000 is buzzing.
    — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of buzz
Verb
  • Faria was down a break and scrambling to survive, having snatched the opening set by getting past Alcaraz’s defenses.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • From there, the movie takes a series of increasingly surreal turns, including elaborate reenactments involving a Hollywood actress (her arrival is too good to spoil) that further scramble the line between reality and performance.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of scramble
Noun
  • In 1935, a horde of white people stood around as Rubin Stacy, a Black farmworker, was lynched in Plantation Florida.
    — Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2026
  • His throw to Jordan Allen was the best yet, with a scramble to get away from a horde of defenders, then composing himself and finding Allen in the middle of the field for a 23-yard gain, giving the Jackets first-and-goal.
    — AJC.com, AJC.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of horde

Browse Nearby Words

swards
swarm
swarmed
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Cite this Entry

“Swarm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swarm. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

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