craze 1 of 2

noun

Definition of crazenext
as in trend
a practice or interest that is very popular for a short time if history is any guide, this latest diet for losing weight is just another craze

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

craze

2 of 2

verb

ˈkrāz How to pronounce craze (audio)
as in to frenzy
to cause to go insane or as if insane horses crazed by the barn fire kicked out their stall doors as they tried to escape

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word craze distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of craze are fad, fashion, mode, rage, style, and vogue. While all these words mean "the usage accepted by those who want to be up-to-date," rage and craze stress intense enthusiasm in adopting a fad.

Cajun food was the rage nearly everywhere for a time
crossword puzzles once seemed just a passing craze but have lasted

When is fad a more appropriate choice than craze?

The meanings of fad and craze largely overlap; however, fad suggests caprice in taking up or in dropping a fashion.

last year's fad is over

When is it sensible to use fashion instead of craze?

Although the words fashion and craze have much in common, fashion is the most general term and applies to any way of dressing, behaving, writing, or performing that is favored at any one time or place.

the current fashion

In what contexts can mode take the place of craze?

In some situations, the words mode and craze are roughly equivalent. However, mode suggests the fashion of the moment among those anxious to appear elegant and sophisticated.

slim bodies are the mode at this resort

When can style be used instead of craze?

The words style and craze are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, style often implies a distinctive fashion adopted by people of taste.

a media baron used to traveling in style

Where would vogue be a reasonable alternative to craze?

While in some cases nearly identical to craze, vogue stresses the wide acceptance of a fashion.

short skirts are back in vogue

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 craze
Noun
The Swedish fintech company reported last week a 24% surge in 2024 revenue, cashing in on the BNPL craze, which is projected to surpass $160 billion over the next seven years. —Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025 People's fascination with doll crazes goes back generations. —Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
The exclamatory marketing epitomizes the desire of folks to post filtered photos of themselves on social media, connecting with millions who craze this basic connection to some semblance of the art world. —Natasha Gural, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2021 Anderson is one of a select few managers from whom La Russa learned, although that was supplemented by his interest in statistics well before the sabermetrics craze. —Mark Gonzales, chicagotribune.com, 29 Oct. 2020 See All Example Sentences for craze
Recent Examples of Synonyms for craze
  1. trend
  2. frenzy
  3. latest
  4. bother
  5. vogue
  6. rage
  7. enthusiasm
  8. style
Noun
  • Bucking the trend But there are some bright spots in casual dining.
    — Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Like just about every other shoe trend, there’s a divide.
    — Marilú Almaguer, Glamour, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of trend
Verb
  • In season six, these controversies extended to the way the show depicted Mohamed Al-Fayed, all but accusing him of setting up the paparazzi frenzy that led to the deaths of Diana and his son, Dodi.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 15 June 2024
  • During the media frenzy the then-21-year-old held a press conference, delivering a heartfelt resignation speech.
    — Janine Rubenstein, Peoplemag, 27 July 2024
Definition of frenzy
Noun
  • The latests deaths included three residents of long-term care facilities in Dallas, as well as a Balch Springs man in his 20s and a Dallas man in his 60s.
    — Dana Branham, Dallas News, 30 Apr. 2020
  • That equates to more than 45 million Americans using CBD products, based on latest available U.S. Census estimates.
    — Brendan Bures, chicagotribune.com, 2 Oct. 2019
Definition of latest
Verb
  • Because Congress never bothered to write a law to establish it.
    — Jay Cost, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Chicago Bears - Will Campbell, OL, LSU Will Campbell has fallen a bit due to his shorter arm length, but that likely won't bother Ben Johnson.
    — Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of bother
Noun
  • Abstract Expressionism, a painterly movement that trumpeted drippy strokes and flat canvases, was still in vogue when Whitten enrolled at Cooper Union in 1960.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Shows about Hollywood feel in vogue, with Seth Rogen’s Apple TV+ series The Studio about the fictional head of a big American player set to launch in a week.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of vogue
Noun
  • Male rage, particularly on display in parts of the manosphere, has been steadily rising.
    — Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Also, the trade war rages, and there were mass firings at key scientific agencies.
    — Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of rage
Noun
  • Kristen Kish Kristen Kish, the show's host and Season 10 winner, radiates the same enthusiasm for Canada as her fellow judge, Simmons, having built her own connection to Toronto through family visits over the years.
    — Kimberly Lyn, Travel + Leisure, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Regretfully many gardeners were not successful with their plantings and the enthusiasm for azaleas has dwindled.
    — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of enthusiasm
Noun
  • How could this happen to such a visceral, joyous style of music?
    — John Blake, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Use heat protectant Your hair is going to be subjected to so much more heat to create those smoother, lasting styles, so using a heat protectant is an absolute must.
    — Lisa DeSantis, Glamour, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of style

Browse Nearby Words

crayons
craze
crazed
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Cite this Entry

“Craze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/craze. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on craze

Nglish: Translation of craze for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about craze

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