1
as in cramming
to fit (people or things) into a tight space
crowded all the boats into the harbor before the storm struck
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in flocking
to move upon or fill (something) in great numbers
cars crowded the roads over the long holiday weekend
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in huddling
to gather into a closely packed group
everyone crowded around to see the baby being shown off by his proud parents
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 crowding
The hotel’s immersive aesthetic is the work of Venu Juneja, the art and design consultant whose vision animates every corner of the property without crowding it.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
The Emperor’s battle arena, for example, is a marvel of moody set design, its barbarity brought to life by the throngs of people crowding to watch the action from atop its grated roof.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 22 Apr. 2026
Video from a March 30 teen takeover showed a large crowd of people climbing on cars, crowding streets and sidewalks and dancing at intersections.
—Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
The rocketeer claimed each of these organisms — floating in the void, crowding stars like phototropic cosmic foliage — would resemble a miniature biosphere, being metabolically self-sufficient.
—Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026
Route 100, for example, links downtown Miami, Miami Beach and Aventura, and its path through traffic-heavy congestions like the MacArthur Causeway helps explain why delays can cascade into crowding.
—Yaelis Pena, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
Now, each of you can have your own area without crowding or clamoring for mirror space.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 21 Apr. 2026
As for crowding, Wind Cave sees its peak in summer, with around 100,000 visitors per month.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2026
Use clean, sharp pruning tools to remove any branches growing vertically to reduce crowding and allow better airflow between the branches, which can help prevent fungal diseases.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
The Emperor’s battle arena, for example, is a marvel of moody set design, its barbarity brought to life by the throngs of people crowding to watch the action from atop its grated roof.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 22 Apr. 2026
Video from a March 30 teen takeover showed a large crowd of people climbing on cars, crowding streets and sidewalks and dancing at intersections.
—Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
The rocketeer claimed each of these organisms — floating in the void, crowding stars like phototropic cosmic foliage — would resemble a miniature biosphere, being metabolically self-sufficient.
—Big Think, 22 Apr. 2026
Route 100, for example, links downtown Miami, Miami Beach and Aventura, and its path through traffic-heavy congestions like the MacArthur Causeway helps explain why delays can cascade into crowding.
—Yaelis Pena, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
Now, each of you can have your own area without crowding or clamoring for mirror space.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 21 Apr. 2026
As for crowding, Wind Cave sees its peak in summer, with around 100,000 visitors per month.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2026
Use clean, sharp pruning tools to remove any branches growing vertically to reduce crowding and allow better airflow between the branches, which can help prevent fungal diseases.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crowding
Verb
-
Bring a lightweight coat with big pockets, and start cramming stuff into them.—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Instead of using an oversized crock or cramming utensils into drawers and making a mess, try hanging them on the wall.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The party is clearly over for AI startups out of China that have been flocking to Singapore.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
But actors from all quarters of the profession are still flocking to New York for the kind of substantive material that is becoming harder to come by on screen.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
No officials huddling up and putting on headphones.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Now, viral video footage of a group of dogs stranded on the side of a busy roadway in China has drawn plenty of comparisons to the story, showing a reminiscent group of household critters huddling together.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
From truckers to commuters, gasoline prices are squeezing budgets across the country.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The university is scheduled to replace the turf in July, squeezing into a tight window of summer events.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Hezbollah fighters have also inflicted significant casualties on invading Israeli forces.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Watermelon Pictures, the company founded by brothers Badie and Hamza Ali, earned an Oscar nomination this year for The Voice of Hind Rajab, directed by Kaouther Ben Hania, a film set in Gaza based on the true story of a five-year-old Palestinian girl killed in 2024 by invading Israeli forces.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The extra fees are becoming so high not because ships are piling up at the canal, but rather because of last-minute shifts and greater urgency for vessels to pass through in the wake of broader trade chaos, Vásquez said.—
Alma Solís,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Bullpen injuries continue piling up.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Edgar Quero got hit by a pitch, loading the bases for Andrew Benintendi.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
But there’s also an imbalance created with loading up that Cirelli line, which is that Point’s unit is far less dangerous.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
What To Do About Honeybee Swarms Honey bee colonies reproduce by swarming.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
24 Apr. 2026
-
College coaches are already swarming.—
Chris Hays,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crowding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crowding. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
