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craze

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word craze distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of craze are fad, fashion, mode, rage, style, and vogue. While all these words mean "the usage accepted by those who want to be up-to-date," rage and craze stress intense enthusiasm in adopting a fad.

Cajun food was the rage nearly everywhere for a time
crossword puzzles once seemed just a passing craze but have lasted

When is fad a more appropriate choice than craze?

The meanings of fad and craze largely overlap; however, fad suggests caprice in taking up or in dropping a fashion.

last year's fad is over

When is it sensible to use fashion instead of craze?

Although the words fashion and craze have much in common, fashion is the most general term and applies to any way of dressing, behaving, writing, or performing that is favored at any one time or place.

the current fashion

In what contexts can mode take the place of craze?

In some situations, the words mode and craze are roughly equivalent. However, mode suggests the fashion of the moment among those anxious to appear elegant and sophisticated.

slim bodies are the mode at this resort

When can style be used instead of craze?

The words style and craze are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, style often implies a distinctive fashion adopted by people of taste.

a media baron used to traveling in style

Where would vogue be a reasonable alternative to craze?

While in some cases nearly identical to craze, vogue stresses the wide acceptance of a fashion.

short skirts are back in vogue

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 craze
Noun
Archie is credited for launching Sacramento’s craft beer craze in 2008, The Sacramento Bee previously reported. Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 26 Mar. 2025 Those cautionary words didn’t keep direct-to-consumer genetic testing from becoming something of a craze, bolstered by publicity about celebrities responding to genetic indicators. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
The exclamatory marketing epitomizes the desire of folks to post filtered photos of themselves on social media, connecting with millions who craze this basic connection to some semblance of the art world. Natasha Gural, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2021 Anderson is one of a select few managers from whom La Russa learned, although that was supplemented by his interest in statistics well before the sabermetrics craze. Mark Gonzales, chicagotribune.com, 29 Oct. 2020 See All Example Sentences for craze
Recent Examples of Synonyms for craze
Noun
  • The top of Steinfeld’s attire featured long sleeves and a high neckline evocative of the Victorian era from which the dark glamour trend takes inspiration.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 4 Apr. 2025
  • The above petrochemical trend points to an interesting phenomenon: the future of oil is in petrochemicals.
    Simi Thambi​, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In season six, these controversies extended to the way the show depicted Mohamed Al-Fayed, all but accusing him of setting up the paparazzi frenzy that led to the deaths of Diana and his son, Dodi.
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 15 June 2024
  • During the media frenzy the then-21-year-old held a press conference, delivering a heartfelt resignation speech.
    Janine Rubenstein, Peoplemag, 27 July 2024
Noun
  • The latests deaths included three residents of long-term care facilities in Dallas, as well as a Balch Springs man in his 20s and a Dallas man in his 60s.
    Dana Branham, Dallas News, 30 Apr. 2020
  • That equates to more than 45 million Americans using CBD products, based on latest available U.S. Census estimates.
    Brendan Bures, chicagotribune.com, 2 Oct. 2019
Verb
  • Chicago Bears - Will Campbell, OL, LSU Will Campbell has fallen a bit due to his shorter arm length, but that likely won't bother Ben Johnson.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Because Congress never bothered to write a law to establish it.
    Jay Cost, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Abstract Expressionism, a painterly movement that trumpeted drippy strokes and flat canvases, was still in vogue when Whitten enrolled at Cooper Union in 1960.
    Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 20 Mar. 2025
  • The Pixel 9a has the same flat aluminum frame that has been in vogue on smartphones for the past few years.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Male rage, particularly on display in parts of the manosphere, has been steadily rising.
    Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Also, the trade war rages, and there were mass firings at key scientific agencies.
    Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Johnson and Blunt brought Scorsese and DiCaprio the initial concept for the film, which was met with immediate enthusiasm.
    Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Recent developments in the quantum computing sector have contributed to broader market enthusiasm.
    Trefis Team, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Beyond fashion deals, the shop’s charm is the cross-generational style advice dispensed by both women.
    Amy Tara Koch, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
  • And, of course, Lynch's visionary style — ever so risky, strange, and deliberately confusing — set a new standard for the medium.
    EW.com, EW.com, 8 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Craze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/craze. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.

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