Definition of throngnext

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
Over the past few days, the people at the front of the lines have gradually moved closer and closer to the courtroom, to the point where the doors can barely open without bumping into a throng of people. — Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026 The painting, which depicts an elaborate throng of outdoor revelers, once belonged to industrialist Emanuel Albert Lewenstein and his wife, Hedwig Lewenstein Weyermann. — News Desk, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
That’s when the north grounds of President's Park were thronged with booths, and attending crowds watched horse racing and cockfighting, according to the White House Historical Association. — ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026 Khomeini's funeral saw chaotic scenes as millions thronged his mourning ceremony and trip to the cemetery. — Nasser Karimi, Arkansas Online, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for throng
Recent Examples of Synonyms for throng
Noun
  • The hotel draws a significant business and convention crowd, as well as fans in town for a big game.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The series follows the Canadian team’s historic run to the World Cup final, where they were ultimately toppled by host country England, going down 33-13 in front of a sellout crowd of 82,000 at Twickenham Stadium in South West London.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Local travelers have been flocking there for years for its small boutique hotels and wineries.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Thanks to recent improvements to the state tax incentive, New York is now one of the most cost-friendly places to shoot in the world, with film and TV projects flocking to the state.
    — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The bombers were moved abruptly in response to multiple streams of intelligence warnings, including a threat that the aircraft could be hit in a swarm drone attack similar to one Ukraine launched against Russia in June 2025.
    — Steve Hendrix, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
  • My interview with Altman had been arranged weeks earlier, just as the first revelations emerged about swarms of rogue AI agents conspiring to hack websites.
    — Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The twentieth century industrialized advisory through hordes of ambitious young graduates and an apprenticeship model that allowed advice to be sold by those with much less viabexperience.
    — Albert Mikkelsen, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Outside of Hotel Chelsea, hordes of fans greeted this season’s cast, who have made the long-running series a cult favorite.
    — Lauren Sanchez, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Throng.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/throng. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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