mob 1 of 2

noun

ˈmäb How to pronounce mob (audio)
Definition of mobnext
1
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

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2
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
3
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

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 mob
Noun
School administrators failed to hold pro-terror mobs accountable for rampant antisemitism. — Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025 Black families who tried to integrate Alabama schools in 1963 faced death threats, white mobs, and school doors blocked by armed police despite federal judges’ integration orders. — Essence, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
Van Eps was quickly mobbed by his teammates along the boards in front of the East Grand Forks student section. — Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 8 Mar. 2025 Sixteen seconds later Barajas banked a shot in before being mobbed by mascots and hopping into a case of cash. — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mob
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mob
  1. crowd
  2. Mafia
  3. populace
  4. flock
  5. throng
  6. gang
  7. public
  8. swarm
Noun
  • There’s so many examples of all different kinds of beauty in every single one of our crowds.
    — Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The Overtown project was fully leased before opening and is drawing crowds of shoppers in an area long short of both housing and places to shop.
    — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of crowd
Noun
  • This is an incredible opportunity to feature Western New York and Bills Mafia on the Hallmark platform.
    — Emily Longeretta, Variety, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Kendrick Lamar, Khalid, The Chainsmokers, Swedish House Mafia and H.E.R. performed at the 2023 inaugural edition of the festival.
    — Heran Mamo, Billboard, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of Mafia
Noun
  • For the rest of the populace, look at how the average person’s income has changed, taking into account inflation and population growth.
    — Harry Enten, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
  • While this initiative aims to enhance government efficiency, it has been widely discussed that the real reason for the budget cuts are to benefit high-income individuals and corporations (widely referred to by critics as the Trillions for Billionaires Act), at the expense of the general populace.
    — Solange Charas, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Definition of populace
Verb
  • Singapore time, as investors flocked to the precious metal.
    — Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Grant Park in Chicago has become its main location that many fans flock to every year for a diverse music lineup and performances.
    — Marina Watts, People.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of flock
Noun
  • Earlier in the day, throngs of panicked residents ran outside after Bangkok’s skyline swayed.
    — Muktita Suhartono, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Other estimates put the local throng in the 100,000 to 200,000 range.
    — Dan Kelly, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of throng
Noun
  • The Trump administration has also sent Salvadoran nationals it’s accused of being members of the MS-13 gang to CECOT.
    — Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Amid the chaos, police officers and members of the public have been on a hunt for gang members.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of gang
Noun
  • Given Boeing's past missteps and problems, the flying public deserves to hear what changes are being made to rehabilitate the company's tarnished reputation.
    — Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
  • And the mayor has paid a significant price in his public standing for failing to stand up for taxpayers and leaving that job to Martinez, who admirably did so in the face of grossly unfair attacks, with Johnson now polling at lower levels than any mayor of Chicago before him.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of public
Noun
  • Their swarms are so massive they can be seen from space.
    — Gabe Castro-Root, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Except for Carmen, who seems to have been encouraged to inhabit her parents’ rather chaotic world, the children are indistinguishable: A great swarm of pandemonium-causing rich children.
    — Peter Tonguette, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of swarm

Browse Nearby Words

moats
mob
mobbed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mob.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mob. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on mob

Nglish: Translation of mob for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mob

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