herd 1 of 2

noun

ˈhərd How to pronounce herd (audio)
Definition of herdnext
1
as in flock
a group of domestic animals assembled or herded together the great herds of cattle that cowboys once drove across the plains

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2
as in populace
the body of the community as contrasted with the elite aspire to achieve something, to distinguish yourself from the herd

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in throng
a great number of persons or things massed together gearing up for the herd of holiday shoppers at the mall on the day after Thanksgiving

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herd

2 of 2

verb

as in to drive
to urge, push, or force onward the guards briskly herded us through the museum in order to prevent overcrowding

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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 herd
Noun
Kansas and Missouri have the third- and sixth-largest cattle herds among states, respectively, with a combined population of nearly 10 million cows. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026 Ranchers have reduced herds, while strong demand for beef has kept pressure on the dwindling supply. — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
Deep within the backwoods of rural Oklahoma, charismatic and musically gifted Amziah King herds a bluegrass-playing band of misfits while overseeing the premier honey-making operation in town. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026 Synopsis In a remote Somali pastoral village, 12-year-old boys, Waasuge and Warmooge, spend their days herding goats and playing games. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for herd
Recent Examples of Synonyms for herd
  1. flock
  2. populace
  3. throng
  4. drive
  5. crowd
  6. swarm
  7. public
  8. horde
Noun
  • The band had already been in talks with the more pyrotechnically minded Joe Walsh for months, slowly bringing him into the flock with a guest spot at Wembley Stadium.
    — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Drivers honked, pedestrians took photographs, and a flock of Waymos stopped and started repeatedly, their algorithms seemingly flummoxed.
    — Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of flock
Noun
  • China also hopes to encourage more citizens to exercise, thereby making an aging populace more active and reducing strain on the health system.
    — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2026
  • This is where the irrationality of antisemitic conspiracy gains no purchase among a reasoning and pragmatic populace; where government is led by people who grasp, and embrace, the seriousness of their responsibilities.
    — Rory Lancman, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of populace
Noun
  • The cows made their way to the altar — with the handlers helping to guide them with hay — through throngs of people and a few mascots sitting in seats and lined up on the streets, who stopped by just to see the unique occasion.
    — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Officers also described the throng of parents searching for children and spouses who worked at the school, including a woman who said her husband had grabbed their child and hidden near an ice machine in the basement of the church.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of throng
Verb
  • Bonnell also uses a belt drive as standard equipment for quieter, lower-maintenance operation, with an optional 520 chain conversion available for riders who prefer a more traditional setup.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Ronaldinho drove Madonna onto the field at half-time of the World Cup final in a weird little buggy thing.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of drive
Noun
  • The decision to present Nico to the St James’ crowd ahead of the West Bromwich Albion Carabao Cup tie was inspired, perpetuating the positivity brought about by the training-ground announcement and opening-day Liverpool draw.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Hershey is one of several big candy and snack-makers trying to cultivate younger crowds with new flavors and textures.
    — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of crowd
Noun
  • There were swarms of flies and numerous rats at, near or on the bodies.
    — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Launching swarms of small, light interceptors to defend the United States from incoming nuclear missiles may no longer be so far-fetched.
    — Jeffrey Lewis, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of swarm
Noun
  • So deep are the divisions that hardliners have accused officials of deliberately mismanaging the economic crisis to pressure an exhausted public into accepting a deal.
    — Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
  • For public health purposes, all of these distinctions should have been explained immediately and clearly to the American public.
    — Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of public
Noun
  • Then, a horde of onlookers zombie-stagger after Shakur and Knight, out of the casino, toward Las Vegas Boulevard.
    — Jeff Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Each year, hordes of celebrities — including A-list musicians — flock to The Met in New York City to walk the red carpet in avant-garde outfits inspired by the Costume Institute’s spring theme.
    — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of horde

Phrases Containing herd

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herculean
herd
herded
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Cite this Entry

“Herd.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/herd. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on herd

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about herd

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