swarming 1 of 3

swarming

2 of 3

verb (1)

present participle of swarm
1
as in flocking
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 bursting
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

swarming

3 of 3

verb (2)

present participle of swarm
as in climbing
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 swarming
Verb
So if these videos aren’t already swarming your For You Page, here’s what’s going on. Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 21 July 2026 Scenes of the takeovers, which have shown hundreds to thousands of teens swarming an area, have circulated online. Charlotte Observer, 17 July 2026 Going into the match, images of Immigration and Customs Enforcement swarming neighborhoods, Home Depot parking lots and car washes were fresh on the minds of many. Alfredo Corchado, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026 Winged ants are often confused with swarming termites, which require a different management strategy. The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2026 His signature tactical approach was the high press, in which the back line moves up the pitch, swarming opposing players in the midfield—essentially, defending by attacking. Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 7 July 2026 In those moments, what frightened her most was not her own safety but the knowledge that her husband was up there somewhere, flying in the same sky swarming with fighter planes dropping their bombs on Tehran. Mahsa Alimardani, Time, 6 July 2026 The internet is swarming with articles and videos decrying the decision. Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 Nesting mothers can be more defensive, and reaching her meant bushwhacking through dense vegetation with mosquitoes swarming for blood. Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swarming
Adjective
  • Following a tumultuous term that saw the last Jackson County Executive recalled from office, Jackson County residents will choose from a crowded primary field of contenders for the county’s top seat on August 4.
    Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026
  • The products ensure everything stays in place and looks fresh at the crowded venue.
    Jesa Marie Calaor, Allure, 24 July 2026
Verb
  • Audiences are still flocking to true stories as well as fictional narratives set in an authentic past.
    David Faris, TheWeek, 23 July 2026
  • After years of wealthy out-of-staters flocking to South Florida and ceaseless luxury development, Miami has dethroned New York and Los Angeles as the most expensive of the United States’ 10 most populous metropolitan areas.
    Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026
Verb
  • Call it the canary yellow uniforms in the coal mine — except the Red Sox have shot up the elevator shaft, bursting from their subterranean crypt.
    Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • All that was missing was a second goal, which Mikel Merino provided once again, bursting onto the field like a bolt of lightning from the bench in the closing minutes.
    Juan Claudio Matossian, Vanity Fair, 19 July 2026
Verb
  • Video from The Associated Press showed protesters gathering together to push over the tall yellow barricades and sometimes climbing atop them as droves of Delhi Police stood guard in riot gear.
    Connor Greene, Time, 22 July 2026
  • Guerrero's offensive production remains central to any hopes of climbing back into postseason contention, and Sunday's boos illustrated how quickly expectations can shift when a franchise player struggles to deliver in key moments.
    Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Adjective
  • The Wall Street Journal featured Reese alongside WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson on its magazine cover, even after Caitlin Clark broke numerous records, filled arenas, and set new marks for WNBA broadcasts.
    Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
  • The new system allows citations to be transmitted electronically and enter the court records system pre-filled.
    Adam Harrington, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • But at least eight other Republicans are crowding into a primary just two weeks away.
    ABC News, ABC News, 26 July 2026
  • Man Group’s third-quarter outlook makes the point with the example of gross leverage across the hedge fund industry running high again, with crowding into similar AI-adjacent trades as a growing risk.
    Carrie McCabe, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Verb
  • The buzzing bees reference the honey barrels from which the vessel was constructed.
    Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 21 July 2026
  • Drones were buzzing overhead, flying above us; they were being shot down.
    Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
Verb
  • Fast forward to July’s heatwave and Senate Republicans are scrambling to schedule a floor vote.
    Cleve Mesidor, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • Benton’s departure also leaves Democrats scrambling to replace their nominee in one of the state’s more competitive House districts.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Swarming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swarming. Accessed 28 Jul. 2026.

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