MOB Synonyms: 101 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'mob' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mob are crowd , crush , horde , and throng . While all these words mean "an assembled multitude," mob implies a disorderly crowd with the potential for violence. // an angry mob

Q: Where would 'crowd' be a reasonable alternative to 'mob'?

While the synonyms crowd and mob are close in meaning, crowd implies a close gathering and pressing together. // a crowd gathered

Q: In what contexts can 'crush' take the place of 'mob'?

The words crush and mob 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

Q: How do 'throng' and 'horde' relate to one another, in the sense of 'mob'?

Both throng and horde suggest movement and pushing. // a throng of reporters // a horde of shoppers

mob 1 of 2

noun

ˈmäb

Definition of mob next

as in crowd

a great number of persons or creatures massed together a mob of pigeons soon flocked around us after they spied the bread crumbs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in Mafia

a group involved in secret or criminal activities the club owner was accused of having connections with a mob of racketeers

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in populace

the body of the community as contrasted with the elite political speeches designed to appeal to the mob

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

mob

2 of 2

verb

as in to flock

to move upon or fill (something) in great numbers the snack bar was mobbed as soon as the meeting was over

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun mob differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of mob are crowd, crush, horde, and throng. While all these words mean "an assembled multitude," mob implies a disorderly crowd with the potential for violence.

an angry mob

Where would crowd be a reasonable alternative to mob?

While the synonyms crowd and mob are close in meaning, crowd implies a close gathering and pressing together.

a crowd gathered

In what contexts can crush take the place of mob?

The words crush and mob 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

How do throng and horde relate to one another, in the sense of mob?

Both throng and horde suggest movement and pushing.

a throng of reporters

a horde of shoppers

Examples 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 mob

Noun

Trump responded to the report's release on Truth Social, attacking Smith and the congressional committee that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol by a mob of Trump supporters. —

Josh Meyer, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2025 After Bolsonaro lost the 2022 election to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva — a race Bolsonaro never formally conceded — a mob of his supporters stormed the presidential palace and other government buildings on Jan. 8, 2023. —

Avery Lotz, Axios, 8 Jan. 2025

Verb

In the final minute, UCLA walk-on guard Jack Seidler made a spinning layup for his first career basket, prompting his teammates to mob him in celebration after the final buzzer. —

Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024 Pearsall celebrated with Jennings in a choreographed dance, then was handed back the souvenir football from fullback Kyle Juszczyk as more teammates happily mobbed him. —

Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mob

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mob

Noun

Go earlier in the evening on a weekday to avoid crowds.

— Amber Gibson, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2025
The dine-in chain, which is now up to 44 theaters, is private so doesn’t report financials but since emerging from bankruptcy post-Covid it’s become among the hottest places to see films drawing young crowds to a mix of big studio release, arthouse and repertory fare.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 14 Jan. 2025