mob

A mob is a group of people. A mob forms in reaction to an event. Mobs are usually hard to control, and sometimes mobs participate in illegal activity such as vandalism, fighting, or rioting.

• A mob appeared in the street following the death of a little boy who was struck by a car.
• The police were called in to deal with the mob.
• An unruly mob gathered outside of the man’s house and demanded that he come out.
• A peaceful protest suddenly turned into an angry mob when the police showed up in riot gear.
• Have you ever been part of a mob?

A mob formed in the street.

When used as a "verb," to mob someone or something is to gather around it out of excitement or enthusiasm:

• The electronics store was mobbed after it advertised large screen TVs for under a hundred dollars.
• The members of the band were mobbed when they left the auditorium.
• The young movie star got mobbed when he made an appearance at a book-signing event.

The word "mob" is also used to describe a crime organization.

• The mob was involved in the killing of three people.
• A local mob boss is a leading suspect in the crime.
• Rogelio avoids doing business with the mob.
• Al Capone was a notorious mobster.

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July 18, 2016