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
Relevance
1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 11 Jan. 2026
The 236-foot former drug-runner ship Hilma Hooker offers one of the most impressive wreck dives in the region, though the vertical walls at The Cliff, vibrant reefs at Sweet Dreams, and swarms of sealife at Salt Pier are just as unforgettable.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 4 Jan. 2026
Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 30 Jan. 2026
The Hurricanes swarmed Okorie from the opening whistle, forcing him to take tough shots.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for swarm
Noun
In a swarm, there’s often no identifiable main shock or the largest quake may take place in the middle of the swarm, the agency said.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 11 Jan. 2026
The 236-foot former drug-runner ship Hilma Hooker offers one of the most impressive wreck dives in the region, though the vertical walls at The Cliff, vibrant reefs at Sweet Dreams, and swarms of sealife at Salt Pier are just as unforgettable.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 4 Jan. 2026
Verb
The shopping corridor had emptied out in recent weeks as armed federal agents in tactical gear swarmed the city.
—Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 30 Jan. 2026
The Hurricanes swarmed Okorie from the opening whistle, forcing him to take tough shots.
—Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for swarm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swarm
Noun
-
More than twenty‑five thousand people crowded into Shibe Park, including throngs of young people who made the gathering feel more like a festival than a political convention.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Tuesday marks 40 years since throngs of Chicagoans braved subzero wind chills to welcome home the Super Bowl champion Chicago Bears.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Chickens form friendships and mourn the loss of flock mates.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Feb. 2026
-
More than 13 thousand videos have been posted on TikTok under the #owlimpression hashtag, with many racking up millions of views, inspiring more owl variants to join the flock.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Patriots owner Robert Kraft attended Monday’s Celtics game and received a rousing ovation from the Garden crowd.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
27 Jan. 2026
-
What began in Tehran late December in response to the collapse in currency and economic conditions quickly took on a political character -- with crowds on the streets openly calling for regime change.—
Somayeh Malekian,
ABC News,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Expect hordes of people on weekends during prime daytime hours, and likely a short to moderate wait around noon even on weekdays.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Each booth offered a brief refuge from the hordes moving steadily through the aisles.—
Tim Corlett,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swarm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swarm. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
