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
After that, chaos erupted, with dozens of masked people swarming the business. Lesley Marin, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026 Brees alone didn’t easily dispose of the Cardinals, thanks to one of Reggie Bush’s most memorable NFL performances and a swarming Saints defense. Larry Holder, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 But the company has already demonstrated such drone swarming capability during a live-fire combat exercise at a US military range at Camp Blanding in Florida. Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 3 Aug. 2026 Earlier this year, Orlando police also released video showing hundreds of riders on e-bikes swarming downtown streets, running red lights, blocking traffic and delaying an ambulance. Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026 Sparkly, semiattired Lolla kids are this weekend swarming around such oft-deserted environs as Van Buren Street, Jackson Boulevard and State Street. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026 The first drills Monday focused on rebounding, the next half-dozen on various aspects of their pressuring, helping, swarming, trapping defense. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 July 2026 Following her visit with the victims, Jiminez went back home to take a nap, but soon heard police swarming the street, followed soon by an explosion, then gunfire. Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 26 July 2026 And almost none of the capital swarming into AI is going in this direction. Alexander Kardos-Nyheim, Fortune, 25 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swarming
Adjective
  • Analysts warn that beyond crowded positioning and technical pullbacks, fundamental risks within the AI supply chain may also be emerging.
    , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Gunfire erupts following victory celebration Prosecutors have alleged that an argument between two groups escalated into gunfire in the crowded celebration.
    Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Still, most Republicans are not flocking to Ossoff, as Collins tries to tie him to the far-left of the party and questions his experience.
    Sam Gringlas, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Nearby residents have been flocking to the church site and placing flowers and other cards since the fire.
    Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • 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
  • Forever Cemetery, where John Carpenter’s shape-shifting, stomach-bursting masterpiece comes alive on All Hallows’ Eve.
    Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Another shows someone climbing into a helicopter, stepping from a roof terrace, onto the landing gear and then into the cockpit, after appearing to take off their t-shirt to wave and attract the aircraft’s attention.
    Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Summer has been scorching across California, with temperatures climbing as high as 110 degrees in some parts of the state.
    Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Maybe the sign-up flow has too many fields, the first action users need to take isn't obvious or there's a setting that should have been pre-filled.
    Kelli Behan-Aspland, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • With all of that crowding onto your calendar, who has time to make dinner?
    Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 24 Aug. 2026
  • While crowding can be an issue, so can removing trees and opening up the space.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The dreamy setting is an ideal spot to drop anchor for a relaxing swim, snorkel, and linger over a bottle of local wine under umbrella pine trees buzzing with cicadas.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Now, two new heartthrobs of the 2020s have joined the party, with Heated Rivalry star Connor Storrie and Manchester City footballer Erling Haaland both buzzing their notable hairstyles in favor of a summery buzz cut.
    Kara Nesvig, Allure, 24 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Svedin said that as they were headed for the bridge, people were scrambling to beat the rising water.
    ABC News, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The rest of the family is now scrambling to find information from various sources.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Swarming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swarming. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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