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
Sidewalk chaos concerns Residents in Chicago have already raised alarms about delivery robots crowding sidewalks and creating hazards.
—
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
Two days later, Abdul Basir Watan joined dozens of inmates' families crowding outside the hospital in central Kabul.
—Fazelminallah Qazizai, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
Opponents are aware of this, crowding space and stopping his ball-carrying strengths, so getting the England international to perform at his best is vital.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Her family is careful about visitors, too; the neighbor kids, for example, wave and shout greetings from the doorway instead of crowding inside.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
Keep in mind that SpaceX is not the only one crowding the sky.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 6 Mar. 2026
This will prevent crowding and keep diseases away.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 3 Mar. 2026
More than 70 people filled KC Craft Ramen on Monday night, crowding around tables and lining the walls.
—J.m. Banks
march 3, Kansas City Star, 3 Mar. 2026
Draft analysts argue the short arms could lead him to struggle from keeping blockers from crowding him and getting to his body.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2026
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
Two days later, Abdul Basir Watan joined dozens of inmates' families crowding outside the hospital in central Kabul.
—Fazelminallah Qazizai, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
Opponents are aware of this, crowding space and stopping his ball-carrying strengths, so getting the England international to perform at his best is vital.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Her family is careful about visitors, too; the neighbor kids, for example, wave and shout greetings from the doorway instead of crowding inside.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
Keep in mind that SpaceX is not the only one crowding the sky.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 6 Mar. 2026
This will prevent crowding and keep diseases away.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 3 Mar. 2026
More than 70 people filled KC Craft Ramen on Monday night, crowding around tables and lining the walls.
—J.m. Banks
march 3, Kansas City Star, 3 Mar. 2026
Draft analysts argue the short arms could lead him to struggle from keeping blockers from crowding him and getting to his body.
—David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crowding
Verb
-
The plush red seats of the Concertgebouw's main auditorium are occupied by students cramming for upcoming exams and finishing dissertations as classical music fills the hall.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Which is exactly why Paradise’s increasingly disruptive flirtations with time travel feel frustrating on a structural level, like the show is cramming another puzzle box inside the puzzle box.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
For the third year in a row, celebrities are flocking to shorter and shorter styles, which include the ever-evolving bob (see Penélope Cruz, Selena Gomez, and Gracie Abrams).—
Jeanne Ballion,
Vogue,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The biggest names in private equity and venture investing have been flocking to the Gulf in recent years as the region’s sovereign wealth funds have become an increasingly important source of cash.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
30 Mar. 2026
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
-
The final days of our ordeal blurred into a nightmare of torment, wandering while daylight lasted and huddling under open shelters at night, shaking with cold.—
Elwyn "Bud" Myers,
Outdoor Life,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The videos have pulled back the curtain on ingredient shifts across some of the company’s most recognizable products — and a surging cocoa market that’s squeezing the entire candy industry.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The Pios led 4-1 after a period and put the clamps down, methodically squeezing the clock and the Broncos’ hopes of a repeat title, a shift at a time.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The same belief system that pushed him to advocate for invading Iraq has driven him to speak out forcefully on immigration, on LGBT rights, and so on.—
Suzanne Schneider,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Harold is known as the last Anglo-Saxon king who strove valiantly against invading threats, but whose efforts were ultimately futile, Wright added.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The purpose of our mountain drive this morning is to rendezvous with Fitz and the rest of the Caldwell clan and take advantage of the virgin powder now piling up around California’s Carson Pass.—
Namir Khaliq,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
-
With losses piling up, something needed to change.—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Earlier, officers were seen loading several people into a vehicle along the same stretch of street.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
-
On Wednesday, a jury in California determined that Meta and YouTube were responsible for loading their social media platforms with addictive features that harmed the mental health of a minor.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The slower movement had a swarming, rich sound.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Tiny eye-biting flies are swarming all over the San Gabriel Valley and pestering residents.—
Nicole Comstock,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crowding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crowding. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
