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
Of course, some specific locations within parks can get overcrowded, and some people are more sensitive to crowding.
—
Bing Pan, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2026
During several board meetings over several months, some frustrated parents raised concerns about crowding at Oak Terrace, including with its outdoor play area.
—Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
For more than 20 years, OCPS has been building new schools to relieve crowding on existing ones, as student enrollment grew rapidly.
—Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
Neatly store all your toiletries in the $5 Eddie Bauer Toiletry Bag or use the hanging $20 Traveler's Choice Hanging Shelves to neatly unpack your belongings without crowding the hotel drawers or floors.
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 31 Mar. 2026
Sidewalk chaos concerns Residents in Chicago have already raised alarms about delivery robots crowding sidewalks and creating hazards.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
Two days later, Abdul Basir Watan joined dozens of inmates' families crowding outside the hospital in central Kabul.
—Fazelminallah Qazizai, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
Opponents are aware of this, crowding space and stopping his ball-carrying strengths, so getting the England international to perform at his best is vital.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Her family is careful about visitors, too; the neighbor kids, for example, wave and shout greetings from the doorway instead of crowding inside.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
Bing Pan, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2026
During several board meetings over several months, some frustrated parents raised concerns about crowding at Oak Terrace, including with its outdoor play area.
—Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
For more than 20 years, OCPS has been building new schools to relieve crowding on existing ones, as student enrollment grew rapidly.
—Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
Neatly store all your toiletries in the $5 Eddie Bauer Toiletry Bag or use the hanging $20 Traveler's Choice Hanging Shelves to neatly unpack your belongings without crowding the hotel drawers or floors.
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 31 Mar. 2026
Sidewalk chaos concerns Residents in Chicago have already raised alarms about delivery robots crowding sidewalks and creating hazards.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
Two days later, Abdul Basir Watan joined dozens of inmates' families crowding outside the hospital in central Kabul.
—Fazelminallah Qazizai, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
Opponents are aware of this, crowding space and stopping his ball-carrying strengths, so getting the England international to perform at his best is vital.
—Carl Anka, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Her family is careful about visitors, too; the neighbor kids, for example, wave and shout greetings from the doorway instead of crowding inside.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crowding
Verb
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Spreading protein across breakfast, lunch and dinner also works better than cramming it into one meal.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
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The plush red seats of the Concertgebouw's main auditorium are occupied by students cramming for upcoming exams and finishing dissertations as classical music fills the hall.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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For the third year in a row, celebrities are flocking to shorter and shorter styles, which include the ever-evolving bob (see Penélope Cruz, Selena Gomez, and Gracie Abrams).—
Jeanne Ballion,
Vogue,
30 Mar. 2026
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The biggest names in private equity and venture investing have been flocking to the Gulf in recent years as the region’s sovereign wealth funds have become an increasingly important source of cash.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Now, viral video footage of a group of dogs stranded on the side of a busy roadway in China has drawn plenty of comparisons to the story, showing a reminiscent group of household critters huddling together.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
26 Mar. 2026
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The final days of our ordeal blurred into a nightmare of torment, wandering while daylight lasted and huddling under open shelters at night, shaking with cold.—
Elwyn "Bud" Myers,
Outdoor Life,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The videos have pulled back the curtain on ingredient shifts across some of the company’s most recognizable products — and a surging cocoa market that’s squeezing the entire candy industry.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
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The Pios led 4-1 after a period and put the clamps down, methodically squeezing the clock and the Broncos’ hopes of a repeat title, a shift at a time.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The states argue the data collection risks invading student privacy, and leads to baseless investigations of colleges and universities.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
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Of these three exceptions, the only one that still applies is to the children of diplomats, as there are no invading armies, and Native Americans were granted automatic citizenship in 1924.—
Nina Totenberg,
NPR,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The purpose of our mountain drive this morning is to rendezvous with Fitz and the rest of the Caldwell clan and take advantage of the virgin powder now piling up around California’s Carson Pass.—
Namir Khaliq,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
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With losses piling up, something needed to change.—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Earlier, officers were seen loading several people into a vehicle along the same stretch of street.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
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On Wednesday, a jury in California determined that Meta and YouTube were responsible for loading their social media platforms with addictive features that harmed the mental health of a minor.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The six are swarming around her.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
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Down two points with less than 10 seconds left, the swarming Huskies defense forced a turnover from Duke guard Cadyn Boozer after the inbounds pass and UConn guard Braylon Mullins heaved a 3-pointer from long range to stun the Blue Devils.—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crowding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crowding. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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