as in crowded
possessing or covered with great numbers or amounts of something specified
the museum was swarming with schoolchildren on a field trip
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in flocking
to move upon or fill (something) in great numbers
meeting little resistance, the pirates swarmed the decks of the merchant ship
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in bursting
to be copiously supplied
at this time of year that Mexican resort swarms with college students on spring break
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in climbing
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 swarming
Annie Hylton, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
Drones are swarming battlefields in Ukraine, Iran, and beyond.
—Ramtin Arablouei, NPR, 14 May 2026
That line is swarming the Wild with forechecking pressure.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 9 May 2026
The Pistons’ defense is swarming and flustering the Cavs.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 8 May 2026
Overall the Lakers committed 21 more turnovers, giving up 26 points off the mistakes while paying dearly for every errant dribble or misfired pass against the swarming Thunder defenders.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
Body camera video of his arrest obtained by NBC News showed armed deputies swarming around Shaknovsky, who had two passengers in the back seat when he was apprehended.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 7 May 2026
No Wolves player scored more than 12 points on a night the Spurs’ swarming defense created too much havoc too allow Minnesota to exploit its advantages in size and strength.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 7 May 2026
Aerial footage showed officers swarming a man, taking him into custody, and then transporting him from the scene by way of an LAFD paramedic.
—Austin Turner, CBS News, 5 May 2026
Verb
The sounds grew louder, and soon armed and masked men were swarming the village, setting its straw huts on fire and indiscriminately shooting villagers.
—Annie Hylton, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
Drones are swarming battlefields in Ukraine, Iran, and beyond.
—Ramtin Arablouei, NPR, 14 May 2026
That line is swarming the Wild with forechecking pressure.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 9 May 2026
The Pistons’ defense is swarming and flustering the Cavs.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 8 May 2026
Overall the Lakers committed 21 more turnovers, giving up 26 points off the mistakes while paying dearly for every errant dribble or misfired pass against the swarming Thunder defenders.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026
Body camera video of his arrest obtained by NBC News showed armed deputies swarming around Shaknovsky, who had two passengers in the back seat when he was apprehended.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 7 May 2026
No Wolves player scored more than 12 points on a night the Spurs’ swarming defense created too much havoc too allow Minnesota to exploit its advantages in size and strength.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 7 May 2026
Aerial footage showed officers swarming a man, taking him into custody, and then transporting him from the scene by way of an LAFD paramedic.
—Austin Turner, CBS News, 5 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swarming
Adjective
-
Hilton and Becerra have been neck and neck in recent June primary polls, often leading a crowded field of gubernatorial candidates.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
Curated by Our Editors In the latter outbreak, a person who was likely infected by a rodent and had fever symptoms attended a crowded birthday party with around 100 other people for 90 minutes.—
Tanya Lewis,
Scientific American,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
These days, tourists are flocking to South Korea to try beauty treatments, visit locations from their favorite movies and TV shows, and sample all the flavors of Korean food.—
Lilit Marcus,
CNN Money,
9 May 2026
-
Buyers and sellers are flocking to dozens of Mississippi River towns this weekend.—
Frankie McLister,
CBS News,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Nobody’s certain how many visitors will materialize for the anniversary year, but the shop is bursting with merchandise.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
-
From fresh guacamole to flavorful enchiladas, everything is made with care and bursting with flavor.—
Hannah Howard,
Travel + Leisure,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Just ask Panthers guard Robert Hunt, who has stories about Eagles fans climbing onto opposing team buses and wreaking havoc.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
15 May 2026
-
However, the young Italian appeared to go over his limit by attempting to match Vingegaard, quickly becoming gapped after just a kilometre of climbing together.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
The Wall Street Journal featured Reese alongside WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson on its magazine cover, even after Caitlin Clark broke numerous records, filled arenas, and set new marks for WNBA broadcasts.—
Jon Root OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
1 May 2026
-
The new system allows citations to be transmitted electronically and enter the court records system pre-filled.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Residents in a northwest Atlanta neighborhood are raising concerns over Waymo vehicles crowding their streets.—
Angeline Jane Bernabe,
ABC News,
15 May 2026
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Perhaps it’s meant to suggest the weight of history or the state apparatuses crowding characters into the bottom of the frame, or space that’s occupied by unseen spirits (Goethe himself?—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Stockholm is buzzing with vitality and optimism for the future.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
14 May 2026
-
The spring and summer months bring buzzing bees, blooming flowers, sunny skies and baby deer.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Finance teams are recalculating margins, and product leaders are scrambling to explain budget overruns that no one forecasted.—
Alberto Gimeno,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
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And new compounds are popping up with staggering speed, leaving law enforcement scrambling to keep up.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Swarming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swarming. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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