Refine this word faster

Stronger alternatives Opposite tone Use in context Cross-language nuance

Stampede

//stæmˈpiːd// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun

1
A wild, headlong running away or scamper of a number of animals, usually caused by fright.
"[T]hey saw a herd of deer reposing, who, on their appearance, rose from their recumbent position, and began to gaze warily at the strangers; then, tossing their horne, they set off on a stampede, but only swept round, and settled down not far from where they were."
2
a headlong rush of people on a common impulse wordnet
3
A situation in which many people in a crowd are trying to move in the same direction at the same time, especially in consequence of a panic. broadly
"The annual Muslim Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, which is attended by millions of pilgrims, has increasingly suffered from stampedes."
4
a wild headlong rush of frightened animals (horses or cattle) wordnet
5
An event at which cowboy skills are displayed; a rodeo. Canada, US, broadly

Show 1 more definition

6
A sudden unconcerted acting together of a number of persons due to, or as if due to, some common impulse. figuratively
"a stampede toward US bonds in the credit markets"

Verb

1
To cause (a drove or herd of animals) to run away or scamper in a wild, headlong manner, usually due to fright. transitive
"Cattle are usually quiet after dark. Still I've known even a coyote to stampede your white herd."
2
run away in a stampede wordnet
3
To cause animals (owned by a person) to run away or scamper in this manner. transitive
4
cause to run in panic wordnet
5
To cause (people in a crowd) to move in the same direction at the same time, especially due to panic. broadly, transitive

Show 7 more definitions

6
act, usually en masse, hurriedly or on an impulse wordnet
7
To cause (an individual) to act hastily or rashly. broadly, transitive
"I was stampeded into buying an unnecessary insurance against earthquakes, fires, and flooding."
8
cause a group or mass of people to act on an impulse or hurriedly and impulsively wordnet
9
To cause (people) to act in a sudden unconcerted manner due to, or as if due to, some common impulse. figuratively, transitive
10
Of a drove or herd of animals: to run away or scamper in a wild, headlong manner, usually due to fright. intransitive
"Miss Withersteen, let me get what boys I can gather, an' hold the white herd. It's on the slope now, not ten miles out—three thousand head, an' all steers. They're wild, an' likely to stampede at the pop of a jack-rabbit's ears."
11
Of people in a crowd: to move in the same direction at the same time, especially due to panic. broadly, intransitive
"But here in the UK, we tend to stampede from the concourse the moment the platform number is announced for the train we want to catch, crush round the doors, and then launch ourselves into the first available seat before our fellow passengers can take them all."
12
Of people: to act in a sudden unconcerted manner due to, or as if due to, some common impulse. figuratively, intransitive

Etymology

Etymology 1

The noun is derived from Mexican Spanish estampida (“a stampede”), from Spanish estampida, estampido (“a bang, a crack (sound)”), from Old Occitan estampida, from Gothic *𐍃𐍄𐌰𐌼𐍀𐌾𐌰𐌽 (*stampjan), from Proto-Germanic *stampōną (“to compress, squeeze; to stamp”), from Proto-Indo-European *stembʰ- (“to trample down”). The verb is derived from the noun.

Etymology 2

Next best steps

Find stronger synonyms See usage examples Check pronunciation

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: stampede