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

\/\/ a crowd<\/em> gathered<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'crush' be a reasonable alternative to 'crowd'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words crush<\/em><\/a> and crowd<\/em> are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, crush<\/em> emphasizes the compactness of the group, the difficulty of individual movement, and the attendant discomfort.<\/p>

\/\/ a crush<\/em> of fans<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'mob' be a better fit than 'crowd'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to crowd<\/em>, mob<\/em><\/a> implies a disorderly crowd with the potential for violence.<\/p>

\/\/ an angry mob<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How do 'throng' and 'horde' relate to one another, in the sense of 'crowd'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Both throng<\/em><\/a> and horde<\/em><\/a> suggest movement and pushing.<\/p>

\/\/ a throng<\/em> of reporters<\/p>

\/\/ a horde<\/em> of shoppers<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does the noun 'crowd' differ from other similar words?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

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

\/\/ a crowd<\/em> gathered<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'crush' be a reasonable alternative to 'crowd'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words crush<\/em><\/a> and crowd<\/em> are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, crush<\/em> emphasizes the compactness of the group, the difficulty of individual movement, and the attendant discomfort.<\/p>

\/\/ a crush<\/em> of fans<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'mob' be a better fit than 'crowd'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to crowd<\/em>, mob<\/em><\/a> implies a disorderly crowd with the potential for violence.<\/p>

\/\/ an angry mob<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How do 'throng' and 'horde' relate to one another, in the sense of 'crowd'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Both throng<\/em><\/a> and horde<\/em><\/a> suggest movement and pushing.<\/p>

\/\/ a throng<\/em> of reporters<\/p>

\/\/ a horde<\/em> of shoppers<\/p>" } } ] }

crowd 1 of 2

noun

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

Relevance
2
as in community
a group of people sharing a common interest and relating together socially the fashionable crowd at the polo tournament

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in populace
the body of the community as contrasted with the elite no national leader was ever more hated by the crowd

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

crowd

2 of 2

verb

ˈkrau̇d How to pronounce crowd (audio)
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
as in to huddle
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

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
The event came under criticism from some South Koreans for tight security measures enforced on a crowd that mostly failed to materialise. —Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2026 The agents appeared to be helping with crowd control at the airport amid long lines of travelers trying to get through security. —Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
Verb
The commission on Thursday, during a public hearing that lasted nearly an hour and drew a standing room only crowd, unanimously voted against a zone change request from LBL Development, LLC development manager Steve Kil. —Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026 Though the horses were hard at work, spring breakers crowded around the officers asking to pet them. —Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 21 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for crowd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crowd
  1. throng
  2. community
  3. populace
  4. stuff
  5. flock
  6. huddle
  7. swarm
  8. bunch
Noun
  • The throngs gathered for what almost happened and what actually did take place.
    — Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Trying to make my way through the throng of movie stars, filmmakers and other luminaries was almost like an Olympic event.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
Definition of throng
Noun
  • The international film community—including the Cannes, Berlin, and Venice festivals and the American Cinematheque—spoke out against these persecutions.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Barnardsville is an unincorporated community about a 150-mile drive northwest from Charlotte.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of community
Noun
  • The seeming absoluteness of scientific thinking may predispose many medical practitioners or public health workers to assume the populace trust them, that evidential claims naturally validate interventions — no further Q&A needed.
    — Cory Anderson, STAT, 6 Mar. 2026
  • That combination makes for a happy society and ensures a populace that drives a productive economy for years to come.
    — Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Definition of populace
Verb
  • In September, Wien and her husband drove to the Millers' North Arlington neighborhood and dropped manila envelopes stuffed with printouts near people's front doors.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026
  • Then in the final seconds of the period, Merrimack turned the puck over in their own zone but Jack Galanek could not stuff his hurried shot home.
    — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of stuff
Verb
  • Locals flocking to the barrels Micromorphological observations and analysis showed that burying these barrels would have prevented them from freezing and would have preserved its chemical state before mixing it with sand and water, according to Heritage Daily.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Millions of people flock to the Smithsonian's two air and space museums in Washington and their affiliates at major NASA heritage sites in Texas and Florida each year.
    — Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of flock
Verb
  • 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
  • Twin Lakes also stand out, huddled in their alpine embrace and flanked by proud granite slopes.
    — Madison Chapman, Outside, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of huddle
Noun
  • Easier said than done when both parties leave a swarm of paparazzi in their wakes.
    — Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2026
  • For their part, Iranian officials signaled that energy facilities were on the table as swarms of its drones targeted the Shaybah oil field in Saudi Arabia, the Shah gas field southwest of Abu Dhabi and oil facilities in Fujairah.
    — Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of swarm
Noun
  • In the past few years, Underwood has come to realize that a bunch of barking alphas may not, in fact, be the best way to build a successful pack.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
  • So the idea of witnessing a wedding and what that does to you internally birthed the idea of, okay, actually, a bunch of people are going to spontaneously bleed to death at this wedding.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of bunch

Browse Nearby Words

crow's nests
crowd
crowded
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Crowd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crowd. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on crowd

Nglish: Translation of crowd for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about crowd

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