rabble

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rabble" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a disorderly crowd or a mob, often implying a lack of organization or refinement. Example: "The politician was met with a rabble of protesters outside the venue, demanding change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Related: Ill-disciplined rabble in anti-Farage protest | Letters Next, I start receiving hostile texts from activists: the story in the Guardian is presumed to have been written by me, the only journalist on the scene.

The Guardian

The fact that the same plot that was hatched in 1998 is being repeated reflects a certain bankruptcy and lack of creativity on [the government's] part," says Ibrahim in my exclusive interview with the 62-year-old rabble rouser.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Liberal Democrats, hardly mentioned in the debate, also claimed it had revealed nothing but a rabble, and had underscored the need for the centrist Nick Clegg to be involved in any future coalition.

The Guardian

Kennedy's own tears would certainly have been more for his party rather than his colleague or himself: from a record number of 62 MPs when Kennedy stood down as leader, the Lib Dems are now reduced to a sorry rabble of just eight.

The Guardian

The Czech Republic are a complete rabble at the moment, but Poland have to take one of these chances.

The Guardian - Sport

That's laughable; right now, the real racial divides in this country are actively being highlighted by protesters taking to the streets to oppose forced closures of Aboriginal communities only to be labelled "selfish rabble".

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

The people who could rabble-rouse and were the most radical would rise to the top".

The Guardian

If the Freedom Party gets close to the 20% voting share predicted in most polls, the two big parties will face an unappealing choice: either join forces with an irresponsible rabble-rouser, risking a repeat of the country's 1990s isolation; or revert once again to a discredited grand coalition, with the built-in conflicts that make governing Austria so hard.

The Economist

Hence his indulgence of Trotskyites and rabble-rousers in the unions; his eagerness to prop up Britain's heavy industries, mostly in vain, with workers' co-operatives; and his hatred (he was a good hater) of those who seemed to stand in the way.Where did this drive to be difficult come from?

The Economist

A politician capable of projecting an earnest, simple, unstinting love of a spotless and superior America is either a treacherous rabble-rouser or so out of touch that he is not qualified to govern.

The Economist

Mr Sistani may be less of a rabble-rouser than Mr Sadr, but he is equally hostile to federalism and anxious to impose an Islamic identity on the rest of Iraq, they fear.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rabble" when you want to convey not only a disorderly crowd but also a sense of contempt or disdain for the group.

Common error

Avoid using "rabble" in formal or professional writing where a neutral term like "crowd" or "group" would be more appropriate, as "rabble" carries a strong negative connotation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "rabble" is as a noun, referring to a disorderly crowd or the lowest class of people. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it denotes a group considered contemptible or unorganized. Examples show it used to describe political opponents, sports teams, or even abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "rabble" denotes a disorganized and often contemptible group of people. Grammatically functioning as a noun, it serves to express disapproval and is most frequently encountered in News & Media contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is correct and usable, but carries a negative connotation, so consider your audience and the level of formality when choosing to use "rabble". Alternatives include "mob" or "throng".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mob

A more general term for a large, disorderly crowd, lacking the negative connotation of "rabble".

riffraff

Emphasizes the disreputable or undesirable character of the group, similar to but stronger than "rabble".

throng

Implies a densely packed crowd, but without the negative judgment associated with "rabble".

canaille

A French term for the lowest class of people, often used with contempt, similar in tone to "rabble".

horde

Suggests a large, overwhelming group, often with a sense of menace, unlike the more passive "rabble".

the hoi polloi

A Greek-derived term referring to the ordinary people, sometimes with a snobbish or disdainful tone, similar to "rabble".

scum

A highly derogatory term implying moral depravity and worthlessness, more extreme than "rabble".

herd

Implies a large group lacking individual thought or direction, similar to the disorganized aspect of "rabble".

the masses

Refers to the general population, often with a sense of being undifferentiated, lacking the negative tone of "rabble".

the common people

A neutral term for ordinary individuals, without the implication of disorder or contempt found in "rabble".

FAQs

What does the word "rabble" mean?

The word "rabble" refers to a disorganized or disorderly crowd of people; it often carries a negative connotation, implying that the group is contemptible or of low social standing.

What can I say instead of "rabble"?

You can use alternatives like "mob", "throng", or "riffraff" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "rabble" in formal writing?

Using "rabble" in formal writing may be inappropriate as it carries a negative and often contemptuous connotation. Consider using more neutral terms like "crowd" or "group" instead.

What is the difference between "rabble" and "mob"?

While both "rabble" and "mob" refer to a large group of people, "rabble" emphasizes the disorderliness and low social standing of the group, whereas "mob" primarily highlights the crowd's potential for violence or unruly behavior.