throng 1 of 2

throng

2 of 2

verb

as in to flock
to move upon or fill (something) in great numbers fans thronged the field to celebrate the win

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun throng differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of throng are crowd, crush, horde, and mob. While all these words mean "an assembled multitude," throng and horde suggest movement and pushing.

a throng of reporters
a horde of shoppers

When might crowd be a better fit than throng?

While in some cases nearly identical to throng, crowd implies a close gathering and pressing together.

a crowd gathered

When can crush be used instead of throng?

The synonyms crush and throng are sometimes interchangeable, but crush emphasizes the compactness of the group, the difficulty of individual movement, and the attendant discomfort.

a crush of fans

Where would mob be a reasonable alternative to throng?

The words mob and throng are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, mob implies a disorderly crowd with the potential for violence.

an angry mob

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 throng
Noun
Each fall, the otherwise unassuming destination, which has a population of about 11,000, lures in throngs of travelers looking for thrills and hauntings. Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025 The streams from his time in San Francisco, Oakland, and the nation’s capital did indeed feature some of the more frenzied throngs of people screaming his name and reaching out to touch him, held back only by a cadre of burly bodyguards. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
Creating magnets for more homeless to throng to the subways would be a gut punch for New Yorkers who have to use the subways to get to their jobs. Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 3 Aug. 2025 Still, his supporters thronged outside the New York courtroom waving bottles of baby oil — an infamous detail of the trial — in a pseudo-ironic celebration of his acquittal on the most serious charges. August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for throng
Recent Examples of Synonyms for throng
Noun
  • His campaign already claims 6,000 volunteers and his town hall appearances have drawn large crowds.
    NPR, NPR, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Police say Balmer broke in through the southern wing of the residence, into a room often used to entertain crowds and display art.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • With money flooding in, developers are flocking to areas where a lot of data centers are already, like Northern Virginia's Data Center Alley and parts of Texas, according to the IEA.
    Michael Copley, NPR, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Butterflies and many other pollinators flock to these flowers.
    Viveka Neveln, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • As police swarm the plant, Batman disappears in a puff of smoke.
    Jordan Moreau, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Its artwork, meanwhile, sees its author posing in a swarm of paparazzi and was recreated for the poster of Williams’ recent biopic, Better Man.
    Sophie Williams, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • That has been burning in the minds of both the growing horde that is the Logged-Off community, those whose algorithms never picked up on the artist, and millennials who recognize fewer artists on a festival lineup as the years march ever forward.
    Zoe Guy, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Try to squeeze in on a weekday when the hordes will be slightly diminished.
    Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 10 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Throng.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/throng. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on throng

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