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

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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
Those swarms can overwhelm traditional air defence systems, both physically and financially. — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026 Another tale describes maintenance workers at the Old Zoo dumping spoiled soda syrup off the cliff, which lured swarms of bees. — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
Beyond being used to stalk innocent people, the cameras have also swarmed random individuals with over-the-top police responses, including a journalist. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 20 Aug. 2026 After that, chaos erupted, with dozens of masked people swarming the business. — Lesley Marin, CBS News, 18 Aug. 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
  • Why then, are throngs of armchair analysts online pointing fingers at her ex-husband, Patrick, blaming him for the deaths?
    — Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The new 47-key Orient Express Venezia is an experience, housed within Palazzo Donà Giovannelli in the oldest and northernmost Cannaregio district, drawing high-end travelers away from the throngs.
    — Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of throng
Verb
  • As the number of new small businesses in the country continues to grow, and more people flock to digital banks, innovative fintechs like Contabilizei have an opportunity to become a key part of that domestic economic ecosystem.
    — Charlotte Hu, Time, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Young people continue to flock to New York for its vast job market and opportunities, but affording a place to live is increasingly a challenge.
    — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of flock
Verb
  • Chinese authorities also warned that a barrier lake, which formed at the confluence of the Tsogyal and the Purupqiangzangbu rivers, is overflowing and may burst.
    — Niranjan Shrestha, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Sip local wines like Norton or Vignoles, hop around downtown, or wander through orchards bursting with ripe apples while leaves crunch underfoot.
    — Taryn Shorr-Mckee, Midwest Living, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of burst
Verb
  • In Wednesday's earnings report, Salesforce said revenue for the quarter climbed 11% from a year earlier, topping estimates.
    — Jordan Novet, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Keller Central climbed from 1-9 to 5-5 under second-year head coach Eric Vance and beat Allen for the Division I 7-on-7 state title in June — powered by junior twin phenoms Isaiah and Jeremiah Taylor.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of climb
Noun
  • Hvar banned its circuit of thumping DJ parties in 2024 in an effort to rebrand itself, but August’s high tourist season in Hvar Town still draws heavy crowds.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026
  • So too the buzz around the event last year and this, with first-round matches in 2025 attracting large and engrossed crowds.
    — James Hansen, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of crowd
Verb
  • Summary Tonight, the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas is buzzing for the WBA welterweight title clash between Rolly Romero and Teofimo Lopez.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Smith’s chemistry with Mitchell has been buzzing since the spring, but his connection with the Jets’ top receiver has been building all summer.
    — Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of buzz
Verb
  • Prediction market companies are scrambling to improve their public reputation.
    — Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Populist opposition to massive data centers fueling the artificial intelligence boom is scrambling up the 2026 midterms, cutting across ideological lines.
    — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of scramble
Noun
  • Chino Hills State Park is almost never crowded, except during a spring super bloom, when the hillsides erupt in California poppies and hordes of would-be influencers arrive to take photos for Instagram.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Or what about storming the field, the tradition that follows a momentous win, when order dissolves and players brace themselves for a horde of fans pouring out of the stands.
    — Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 23 Aug. 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 29 Aug. 2026.

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