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
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Recent Examples of crowding
There were times on this trip when all of them seemed to be crowding the banks at once.
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Stanley Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
To complicate things, however, berry flavor and sugar content can vary depending on weather and growing conditions like sunlight levels, air temperatures, soil moisture levels, plant crowding, and pests and diseases that stress the plant.
—Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 9 Jan. 2026
Sauer added that the move will help with reducing crowding and delays, and pass-ups on local train service.
—Tom Dougherty, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026
Factors like the weather can also impact behavior such as crowding indoors, which can increase the spread of influenza, experts said.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 6 Jan. 2026
Press clippings from the earlier incarnation of what was United Press International Wire Service in 1983 describe as many as 10,000 cars crowding the surrounding roads and intersections with onlookers eager to gander at the amazing displays and décor.
—Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
With that many people, crowding can be a big problem at some times of year.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 1 Jan. 2026
Some residents of the neighborhood are less thrilled about people crowding onto their streets.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Dec. 2025
They were shocked to see a subset of the RNAs drastically increasing in concentration as sperm cells matured, and then crowding into the sperm heads with DNA.
—Ivan Amato, Quanta Magazine, 22 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crowding
Verb
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More people and new developments are cramming into Florida’s last-remaining greenspace, Lindsey O’Donnell said.—
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Tens of thousands of residents are living with relatives, cramming into rental apartments or living in public buildings.—
Verb
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Even more influencers than usual are flocking to Dubai this weekend for the 1 Billion Followers Summit that will take over the city’s financial district, the Museum of the Future, and government hub Emirates Towers.—
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Today's buyers are flocking to these gorgeous properties that boast character and detail galore, according to real estate pros.—
Verb
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Ohio State continued huddling in the second half and put together touchdown drives of 82 and 75 yards, keeping the Miami D-line at bay and allowing just one sack.—
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Longtime residents can’t forget his iconic image of flamingos huddling in the bathroom for safety against monstrous Hurricane Andrew in August 1992.—
Verb
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The Bagail 6-piece Compression Packing Cube Set is just $19 and a game-changer for squeezing extra outfits into a carry-on.—
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To check for ripeness, start by squeezing the fruit—ripe mangos should give slightly under pressure without feeling overly soft or mushy.—
Verb
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So what’s the point of invading Venezuela?—
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Her father was detained by invading forces during the Bay of Pigs.—
Verb
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Instead of piling up with other tourists at beaches in major hubs like Barcelona or Marbella, do as the locals do and escape to Xàbia.—
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Pla2na/Getty Images When money problems start piling up and filing for bankruptcy appears to be the only option, the timing suddenly starts to matter in ways that many people don't expect.—
Verb
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The container is insulated and protected from weather and palletized for easy transport using a forklift for loading onto vehicles or aircraft.—
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There might also be loading instructions in the machine’s manual.—
Verb
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The two grow visibly emotional as rapid-fire footage plays, including shots of the young men’s daily arrival and interactions with swarming press outside the downtown Manhattan courthouse.—
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The home is always swarming with visitors, many of them young women.—
Cite this Entry
“Crowding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crowding. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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