craze 1 of 2

Definition of crazenext
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
Meanwhile, Randy Marsh, Stan’s ever-adventurous father, decides to check out the looksmaxxing craze and has his face rated by users. — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026 Yet bubbles do not burst entirely of their own accord; investment crazes don’t wane because fundamentals suddenly change. — Ruchir Sharma, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
The pastry problem is one of several recent examples of social media crazes. — Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026 If the lenses are badly crazed, meaning marred by microscopic cracks in the lens surface, or moisture is trapped inside the housing, replacement is the better option. — John Paul, The Providence Journal, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for craze
Recent Examples of Synonyms for craze
Noun
  • The trend marks a stark turn from earlier this decade, when sellers often received well above their asking price as home shoppers empowered by rock-bottom mortgage rates fueled a buying frenzy that sent home prices soaring.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Darker denim tones have really come into their own in the past year, and chocolate hues in particular are a fall fashion trend that shows no signs of slowing down in winter.
    — Georgia Trodd, Glamour, 25 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The mathematics and computer science graduate, who spent two years in the Peace Corps, launched Netflix by mailing DVDs in red envelopes to customers bothered by Blockbuster Video chain’s practices and late fees.
    — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Some people, like me, are bothered by such images but can mostly ignore them.
    — Gabriela Galvin, Scientific American, 26 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The latests stats mean AI music has exploded by 650% in 16 months.
    — James Peckham, PC Magazine, 20 Apr. 2026
  • The latests forecasts show a new round of storm systems will increase rain chances across much of Northern California and the Central Valley in the coming days.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • After a brief respite in the 2010s when body-positivity and neutrality were in vogue, the pendulum has swung back with a vengeance.
    — Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Oct. 2026
  • At the time, the Busby Berkeley conception of musical film as outlandish spectacle was the choreographic vogue.
    — David Hajdu, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Female rage became a lucrative entertainment category by making women’s anger legible as power.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Sharp lines and interesting dimensions were all the rage for Watts, who was dressed in a structured black-and-white gown from Roksanda’s spring 2027 collection.
    — Arushi Jacob, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Capricorn December 22 – January 19 The people around you may reveal where your enthusiasm belongs next.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Despite Democratic enthusiasm this year, Donnini cautioned that polling numbers do not automatically translate into election victories.
    — Jack Fink, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Here’s a prime example of a more cryptic style of clue that sometimes pops up in late-week puzzles.
    — Sean McGowan, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The menu changes daily and features wide-ranging Italian and Tyrolean dishes such as quail risotto, Speckknöddelsuppe (bacon dumpling soup), pasta and veal ragout, Viennese-style schnitzel, spinach dumplings, and apple strudel.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Craze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/craze. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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