swarm 1 of 3

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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
Noun
For now, the benefit of a reserve sans swarms of animals is that guests can hike through the mountains without worrying about stumbling upon an angry buffalo or temperamental elephant. Mary Holland, Robb Report, 5 June 2025 That followed unidentified swarms of drones seen near military installations, including drones that flew near Virginia’s Langley Air Force Base over 17 days in December 2023. Ellen Mitchell, The Hill, 4 June 2025
Verb
The stinging events were especially frequent during the summer swarming period from April to September, with a peak in May to July. Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 9 June 2025 When Dominican migrant Joaquin Rosario Espinal left the courtroom after a routine check-in, at about 12:35 p.m., at least six agents waiting outside swarmed him. Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for swarm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swarm
Noun
  • Officers moved in the late afternoon to push the throng away from the buildings that had been the focus of Sunday’s protests and steadily pushed them into Little Tokyo, with the crowd thinning with each push.
    Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2025
  • As part of the celebration, someone blew bubbles amidst the throng of Pointers.
    Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • There were live decoys trained to fly out and entice entire flocks of wild Canadas coming in from the upcountry breeding grounds.
    Nash Buckingham, Outdoor Life, 19 June 2025
  • All the life of the field startles and a flock of starlings flush holding the shape of the flames.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 June 2025
Noun
  • Among the many Messi fans in the Atlanta crowd was 11-year-old Koen King, who traveled five and a half hours from Ashborough, N.C., for the game.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 20 June 2025
  • There’s no question who is really at fault for all the misdirection: Donald Trump, a man who has been obsessed with size—whether measured in square footage, crowd attendance or net worth—for years.
    Dan Alexander, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • Even after winning just 34 games last season, the Spurs are well-positioned for a timeline-altering move — armed with young talent, a clean cap sheet and roster flexibility in addition to a horde of draft capital (San Antonio has 13 first-round picks through 2032).
    Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 14 June 2025
  • World-building Epics The Walking Dead Both an apocalyptic drama and a world-building epic, AMC’s The Walking Dead has everything a fan of The Last of Us could want: a horde of undead, beloved characters, and great action.
    Barry Levitt, Time, 26 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Swarm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swarm. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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