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craze

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verb

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 aurora craze began around Mother's Day weekend in mid-May, when a G5 geomagnetic storm reached the highest level on the Space Weather Scale that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s uses to classify them. Meredith Garofalo, Space.com, 31 Dec. 2024 Last year, OpenAI, which started the generative AI craze in late 2022 with ChatGPT, introduced a search engine called SearchGPT. Hayden Field, CNBC, 18 Jan. 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
Noun
  • This trend seemed to forecast a decline in reggaetón’s dominance within Latin music circles.
    Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Loaded cereal is a recent breakfast trend in which various toppings are added to everyday cereal.
    Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 22 Jan. 2025
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
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
Verb
  • Theresa’s nose has been bothering her and one of her children has asthma.
    Simmone Shah, TIME, 26 Jan. 2025
  • Ludvig Aberg, who shared the second-round lead with Griffin, was bothered by illness throughout the round.
    Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The realities of financing premium drama mean co-production is in vogue and the shows pitched in Berlin will be scouting for partners.
    Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Neutrality about dressing political figures may be becoming more in vogue, or maybe designers are just busy.
    Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 9 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Turn on the soundtrack loud and rage against the injustice.
    Megan McCluskey, TIME, 23 Jan. 2025
  • With the movie itself proving its might across three different categories, Morris’ absence begs the question: How? —Joey Nolfi 12 of 13 SNUB: Challengers score Time to compress and repress your rage, as the Academy pulled the aux cord out from one of the best original scores of 2024.
    Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 23 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • In his defense, the Anti-Defamation League tweeted from X that Musk’s gesture seemed to be an awkward expression of enthusiasm.
    Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Investors responded with enthusiasm, sending Burberry shares up nearly 15 percent to 12.31 pounds in morning trading following the update.
    Samantha Conti, WWD, 24 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The 6-foot-6 wing does it with a unique style and uncanny body control.
    Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2025
  • This one comes in eight colors, is wind- and rain-resistant, and has a detachable faux fur collar around the hood for added warmth and style.
    Lauren Fischer, People.com, 26 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near craze

Cite this Entry

“Craze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/craze. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.

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