swarms 1 of 3

plural of swarm

swarms

2 of 3

verb (1)

present tense third-person singular of swarm
1
as in flocks
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 bursts
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

swarms

3 of 3

verb (2)

present tense third-person singular of swarm
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

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 swarms
Noun
Parts of the organization could become minimum viable organizations (MVOs) where swarms of AI agents oversee most work, while people check their outputs. Erik Roth, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025 The result is a mobile, autonomous counter-drone system that can defeat swarms of unmanned aircraft with precision and minimal collateral damage. Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2025 Russia is suspected to be behind a series of drone swarms that surveyed and even disrupted critical infrastructure in Denmark and elsewhere, though investigations are ongoing. Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025 That applies to swarms of AI agents too. Marco Argenti, Time, 2 Oct. 2025 That tension between chance and control, the composer’s command over so many swarms of sound, gives the work both its overwhelming scope and its disappointing sense of sameness. Justin Davidson, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025 Large flocks of birds — or swarms of bats or insects — at the right altitude and speed reflect enough energy to appear on radar much like a storm. Brandi D. Addison, The Providence Journal, 29 Sep. 2025 Large flocks of birds — or swarms of bats or insects — at the right altitude and speed reflect enough energy to appear on radar much like a storm. Brandi D. Addison, Nashville Tennessean, 26 Sep. 2025 Kyiv is now timing its drone swarms for maximum disruption. David Kirichenko, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swarms
Noun
  • Even though it was closed that day (it had been shut following the robbery), throngs were there — many wondering about the crime.
    Greg Palkot, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025
  • The event drew such a large crowd on Sunday that several Surf City residents complained on social media about a lack of security and noise control, as throngs of attendees poured onto the streets and blocked traffic.
    Claire Wang, Oc Register, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Back in 1961, residents of Capitola woke up to find that hordes of black seabirds were slamming into cars, windows and people's homes and dying.
    Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The birds have survived in hordes in the deserts, but civilization nearly always spells their doom.
    Jack O'Connor, Outdoor Life, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Outbreaks surged in late 2024 and early 2025, affecting hundreds of commercial flocks and millions of birds, and leading to severe egg shortages and soaring prices.
    Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
  • The National Turkey Federation estimates that 60% to 80% of turkey flocks were infected in 2024.
    Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Nearly 75% of opening weekend crowds were males, while 50% were under the age of 25 years old.
    Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 26 Oct. 2025
  • However, the aforementioned lists also include several teams that consistently draw big crowds, including the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 26 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Swarms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swarms. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

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