throng 1 of 2

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

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
There certainly seem to be apparitions in this music, some presence apart from the four musicians and the throngs of fans, which is intensified by the visceral collision of so many sounds. Stephen M. Deusner, Pitchfork, 27 Apr. 2026 And at a party held in Georgetown by UTA, some members of a throng of attendees mused about the direction of CBS News. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
In Chula Vista, protesters thronged to a sidewalk outside a Red Lobster on H Street, amid a din of whistles and car horns. Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026 The quayside, now planted with fast-maturing plane trees and creeper climbing the sandstone walls, is thronged on any sunny day with joggers, walkers and their dogs. Marie Patino, Bloomberg, 20 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for throng
Recent Examples of Synonyms for throng
Noun
  • In his post-match press conference, Arteta praised the courage of his players to play short, even after the Emirates crowd weren’t pleased with how that first move failed.
    Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • The same goes for facilities like Escape Lounges, which may cut off access, add a waitlist or stop selling day passes based on real-time crowd conditions.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 27 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
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
  • Pablo Escobar's reign of terror didn't end with his death and continues today in the form of a horde of hippos plaguing the Colombian countryside.
    Carlie Procell, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Oldham knew the Beatles played primarily to hordes of screaming girls.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Throng.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/throng. Accessed 2 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on throng

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster