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throng

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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

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 throng
Noun
The throng of travelers at the airport disoriented Mr. Matobato. Jes Aznar, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2025 An atmosphere of fear has brought throngs of Sudanese to the doorstep of the U.N. refugee agency in Cairo, seeking formal protection. Vivian Yee, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
During a recent night out in New York City, Tom Holland had to intervene when fans and photographers began to throng too aggressively around his girlfriend, Euphoria star Zendaya. EW.com, 26 Oct. 2024 In bulk, though, their presence makes The Bear feel like an undiscovered neighborhood gem that suddenly got huge, and now its quiet little tables are full of celebrities thronging to be seen (and win guest-starring Emmy roles). Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 17 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for throng 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for throng
Noun
  • Wilson totally fit in with the fashionable A-list crowd during the week.
    Christian Allaire, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2025
  • Dispute and shootings test fragile ceasefire Israeli forces fired on the waiting crowds on three occasions overnight and into Sunday, killing two people and wounding nine, including a child, according to Al-Awda Hospital, which received the casualties.
    Wafaa Shurafa, Samy Magdy, TIME, 27 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Big Tech leaders will also make their voices heard after flocking to Washington for Trump’s inauguration.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Celebrities flocked to Washington, D.C., in celebration of Donald Trump's presidential inauguration on Jan. 20.
    Fox News, Fox News, 20 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The Monaco-Monte Carlo train station will change colour this morning, with a swarm of claret and blue shirts travelling along the Mediterranean coast from Nice before strolling around the city in the afternoon.
    Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Not everywhere in the South experienced what was known as Brood XIX, but Kentucky will get its turn at a cicada swarm this summer.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 20 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • And with a master plan mapped out for the next 30 years, now is the time to go, before the hordes descend.
    Ryan Krogh, Outside Online, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Instead, my eyes were trained on the hordes of the city’s residents carrying umbrellas and wearing gloves… on one of the sunniest days of the summer.
    Sarah Kinonen, Allure, 14 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near throng

Cite this Entry

“Throng.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/throng. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on throng

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