legions

noun

plural of legion
1
as in armies
a large body of men and women organized for land warfare joined the French Foreign Legion

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in throngs
a great number of persons or creatures massed together legions of fans crowded the stadium for the rock concert

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 legions So to Dolly, from that 6-year-old Kentucky boy attending his first concert, and your legions of fans in every corner of the world, a heartfelt thank you for the music and a lifetime of memories. — Michael Collins, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 That Swift would be among the legions of fans listening in on Bridgers’ latest work isn’t surprising. — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 17 Aug. 2026 Skeletor was supported by legions of laser-wielding, Stormtrooper-esque soldiers, though — thanks to Mattel's mandate that He-Man couldn't kill anyone — these were robots rather than people. — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Though several of the film’s stars — Olivia Newton-John, Susan Buckner and Jeff Conaway — have died, the movie’s larger-than-life legacy remains, with legions of fans rewatching the film and sharing the classic clips on social media. — Diana Pearl, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026 But to his legions of enemies — from MAGA reactionaries to the Anti-Defamation League to mere centrist Democrats — Piker is a loudmouth extremist who’s actively harming the country. — Josh Eells, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2026 The industry recruited legions of transportation planners and politicians; by the mid-20th century, these new allies had agreed to rebuild their cities to accommodate cars. — Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Seeing no evil are legions of crooked operators — customs inspectors, tax agents, military commanders, among other enablers. — Foreign Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026 The influencers are two of the most controversial figures on the internet today, with legions of fans and detractors. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 19 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legions
  1. armies
  2. throngs
  3. battalions
  4. hordes
  5. swarms
  6. flocks
  7. crowds
Noun
  • Big Ridley commands armies of extras, builds enormous sets and deploys cutting-edge visual effects to create places that no longer exist — or never did.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • And because intelligence exists in isolated fragments across different systems, companies end up deploying armies of employees whose primary, manual job is just interpretation.
    — Filip Popovic, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of armies
Noun
  • Why then, are throngs of armchair analysts online pointing fingers at her ex-husband, Patrick, blaming him for the deaths?
    — Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The new 47-key Orient Express Venezia is an experience, housed within Palazzo Donà Giovannelli in the oldest and northernmost Cannaregio district, drawing high-end travelers away from the throngs.
    — Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of throngs
Noun
  • Originally constructed in the 1860s to house two battalions of the British Army, Chelsea Barracks served as an important military base for more than 140 years before being decommissioned in 2008.
    — Nick Scott, Robb Report, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The Israeli army built another five battalions of soldiers who were never engaged in service or finished their service and wish to return to duty.
    — Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of battalions
Noun
  • Chino Hills State Park is almost never crowded, except during a spring super bloom, when the hillsides erupt in California poppies and hordes of would-be influencers arrive to take photos for Instagram.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Since it was designated the first national recreation area in 1964, hordes of visitors have cut Lake Mead’s glassy surface with jet skis and boats, carelessly dropping belongings that may now wash up on shore.
    — Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of hordes
Noun
  • The dearth of Patriot interceptors in Europe would leave few alternatives for shooting down Russia’s more advanced ballistic missiles, which can be combined with swarms of inexpensive drones to overwhelm defenses, experts say.
    — Emma Burrows, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The researchers envision eventually deploying swarms of specialized cyborg insects rather than relying on a single multifunctional machine.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of swarms
Noun
  • Editor’s pick More picks A rare bird draws flocks of Southern California birders to this Irvine marsh to get a glimpse.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Kessler recalls the sound of flocks of birds that were often nearby picked up by the microphones.
    — Steve Appleford, SPIN, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of flocks
Noun
  • As federal agents increasingly used chemical irritants on crowds, Michael Cavlan began spending less time patrolling and more time treating people who’d been hurt.
    — Emily Witt, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • As usual, the Alley Art Festival on Saturday drew crowds who browsed at dozens of tents featuring oil paintings, sculptures, sketches, jewelry, pottery and other artwork along Water Street Mall and Downer Place.
    — Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of crowds

Browse Nearby Words

legionnaires
legions
legislate
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Cite this Entry

“Legions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legions. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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