as in throngs
a great number of persons or creatures massed together
a swarm of tourists descends upon the island every summer
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in climbs
to move (as up or over something) often with the help of the hands in holding or pulling
one of the physical challenges had competitors swarming over a pile of logs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of swarms
Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 4 Jan. 2026
The system uses several 50 kW industrial laser units to create a single powerful beam that kills drone swarms, cruise missiles, and fast-moving threats from a long distance.
—Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 26 Dec. 2025
Southern California has provided some recent examples of swarms that ultimately fizzled out.
—Los Angeles Times, Boston Herald, 22 Dec. 2025
In June, Operation Spiderweb saw Ukraine unleash swarms of drones at several Russian airfields, destroying at least 10 planes and damaging dozens of others.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 22 Dec. 2025
Most often, quake swarms are caused by fluids — typically water — interacting with fault lines, the federal agency said.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 21 Dec. 2025
The East Bay community has experienced seismic activity over the past month, with scientists saying the region has had a history of earthquake swarms dating back decades.
—Brandon Downs, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025
Twenty-two earthquakes were recorded in the Kamchatka region within a single day in early November 2025, demonstrating the potential for earthquake swarms in highly active zones.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Mueller says that's where the robots come in – swarms of them.
—Kira Wakeam, NPR, 16 Dec. 2024
Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 11 Dec. 2025
In the 13-second video, Cynthia Erivo pulls him off the pop star before security swarms him.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2025
Noun
The 236-foot former drug-runner ship Hilma Hooker offers one of the most impressive wreck dives in the region, though the vertical walls at The Cliff, vibrant reefs at Sweet Dreams, and swarms of sealife at Salt Pier are just as unforgettable.
—Verb
Launching swarms mid-air The aircraft was publicly displayed for the first time at Airshow China in Zhuhai in 2024, where Chinese broadcasters highlighted its potential military functions.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for swarms
Noun
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Shooting scene becomes site of vigil Hours after the shooting, throngs of neighbors gathered at a vigil near the scene to remember Good and express their outrage at her killing.—
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In its early years, the mall hosted a variety of celebrities and entertainment, from walk-around cartoon characters for throngs of exuberant kids to a visit from Chicago radio icon Dick Biondi for autographs.—
Noun
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Theme parks use hordes of performers to bring their worlds to life.—
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But the number of Oscar voters in town explodes each year once the fest kicks off, as hordes of actors, directors, writers, songwriters, executives, publicists and others descend on the city, which normally has a population of less than 45,000.—
Noun
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To prevent their flocks from contracting bird flu, officials suggest poultry owners keep their animals away from wild and migratory birds, isolate animals with signs of illness, disinfect equipment and other items, and limit the flock's contact with people.—
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Recent outbreaks were documented at poultry farms and backyard flocks in states including Arkansas, Kansas, Maryland, Nebraska and New York, affecting more than 128,000 birds combined.—
Noun
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As the confrontation escalated, agents deployed a flash-bang device while crowds threw bricks and paint cans from rooftops.—
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Zion National Park is stunning and peaceful in winter, with fewer crowds and rare access to scenic drives by personal vehicle.—
Cite this Entry
“Swarms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swarms. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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