stampede

A sudden rush of frightened people or animals moving together.

• The loud bang caused a stampede.
• People were injured in the stampede near the exit.
• The guards prevented another stampede by opening more gates.

Similar words: rush

Common phrases: a stampede, cause a stampede, stampede of people

A group of animals suddenly running away together because they are frightened.

• Thunder caused a cattle stampede.
• The herd scattered after the stampede.
• Several fences were damaged during the buffalo stampede.

Similar words: crush, flight, jam, rush

Common phrases: cattle stampede, buffalo stampede, stampede of horses

Many people suddenly taking the same action because they share a strong feeling or desire.

• The sale triggered a stampede of buyers.
• There was a stampede for tickets after the announcement.
• Falling prices caused a stampede into the housing market.

How to use it: a stampede for something (The discount caused a stampede for winter coats.); a stampede into something (There was a stampede into gold as prices rose.)

Similar words: rush

Common phrases: stampede for tickets, stampede into something, stampede of buyers

To run away together in fear, or make a group of animals run away in fear.

• The horses stampeded when the gun fired.
• People stampeded toward the open doors.
• A passing truck stampeded the cattle.

How to use it: stampede toward/out of something (The crowd stampeded out of the hall.)

Similar words: bolt, flee

Common phrases: stampede toward something, stampede the cattle, stampede out

To pressure someone into doing something quickly without thinking carefully.

• Do not let them stampede you into buying.
• The warning stampeded us into making a decision.
• She refused to be stampeded into signing the agreement.

How to use it: stampede someone into doing something (The salesman stampeded him into paying a deposit.)

Similar words: pressure, rush

Common phrases: stampede someone into, stampede into buying