crowd 1 of 2

Definition of crowdnext
1
as in throng
a great number of persons or creatures massed together a huge crowd of fans was on hand to greet the returning World Series champions

Synonyms & Similar Words

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crowd

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to stuff
to fit (people or things) into a tight space crowded all the boats into the harbor before the storm struck

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
as in to flock
to move upon or fill (something) in great numbers cars crowded the roads over the long holiday weekend

Synonyms & Similar Words

3

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun crowd differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of crowd are crush, horde, mob, and throng. While all these words mean "an assembled multitude," crowd implies a close gathering and pressing together.

a crowd gathered

Where would crush be a reasonable alternative to crowd?

The words crush and crowd are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, crush emphasizes the compactness of the group, the difficulty of individual movement, and the attendant discomfort.

a crush of fans

When might mob be a better fit than crowd?

While in some cases nearly identical to crowd, mob implies a disorderly crowd with the potential for violence.

an angry mob

How do throng and horde relate to one another, in the sense of crowd?

Both throng and horde suggest movement and pushing.

a throng of reporters
a horde of shoppers

How does the noun crowd differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of crowd are crush, horde, mob, and throng. While all these words mean "an assembled multitude," crowd implies a close gathering and pressing together.

a crowd gathered

Where would crush be a reasonable alternative to crowd?

The words crush and crowd are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, crush emphasizes the compactness of the group, the difficulty of individual movement, and the attendant discomfort.

a crush of fans

When might mob be a better fit than crowd?

While in some cases nearly identical to crowd, mob implies a disorderly crowd with the potential for violence.

an angry mob

How do throng and horde relate to one another, in the sense of crowd?

Both throng and horde suggest movement and pushing.

a throng of reporters
a horde of shoppers

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 crowd
Noun
Original movies and premium formats are drawing crowds. ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026 The biggest crowds come to watch the leader, a deportation is remigration, and woke means not to stand up to injustice but to be consumed by leftist ideology. Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
Thinning prevents crowding and allows for more air flow between seedlings. Heather Zidack, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026 Dhillon, the assistant attorney general for civil rights, has been among the fiercest culture warriors in an administration crowded with them. Ronald Brownstein, Twin Cities, 26 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for crowd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crowd
Noun
  • Honk asked if many people, perhaps not seeing those signs, believe a throng of solo drivers are violating the law.
    Jim Radcliffe, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
  • In its early years, the mall hosted a variety of celebrities and entertainment, from walk-around cartoon characters for throngs of exuberant kids to a visit from Chicago radio icon Dick Biondi for autographs.
    Adam Harrington, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Many exhibitions are organized by theme, focusing on the topics of love, family, community, and adventure which connect generations.
    Marc Malkin, Variety, 30 Apr. 2026
  • In the remote Scottish Highlands, a young teen sets out to prove the existence of a mysterious creature, hoping to preserve the magic of his community and protect it from industrial ruin.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Fishback, on the other hand, stands strongly opposed to these corporate interests while remaining electable to the general populace.
    Thomas C. Shank, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Barak was cognizant of how the Arab populace would perceive Israeli involvement.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Sturm was trying to formulate an answer for why his team stuffed an amateur hour’s worth of bumbles into Sunday’s opening 20 minutes.
    Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Of course, no seder would be complete without everyone sitting at the table at the end of the night, totally stuffed and maybe a little tipsy, to chat and gossip about everyday life.
    Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • But even wild gusts couldn’t keep these top acts down at the three-day event, which had people flocking to the Mane Stage to see headliners Cody Johnson (Friday), Lainey Wilson (Saturday) and Post Malone (Sunday).
    Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2026
  • In 2020, stargazers flocked to dark sky locations to view the cosmic traveler Neowise, a visible comet then 64 million miles from Earth, with a dusty tail extending more than a million miles.
    Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • But the day wore on as Johnson huddled privately with lawmakers sorting out other issues that stalled voting.
    ABC News, ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026
  • They were huddled over in single file, Stephen Miller grasping his wife, moving away from the gunfire.
    Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Ceija Stojka’s small paintings at the Drawing Center swarm with such harrowing incident that viewers may not spot the mystery in the bottom right corner of many of her canvases.
    Ben Davis, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
  • If the swarm enters your home or other structure such as a shed, contact a professional pest control or beekeeper immediately to eliminate the nest.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Buy a bunch and bring them to share.
    Connie Ogle April 30, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
  • There is a tedium, however, to scrolling through a bunch of stuff that isn’t real, that maybe isn’t even pretending to be real, all for the sake of lying for no reason.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Crowd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crowd. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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