Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

sardine

[sahr-deen] / sɑrˈdin /
VERB
cram
Synonyms
STRONGEST
crowd load overcrowd pack ram shove squeeze stuff wedge
STRONG
charge chock choke compact crush devour drive force gobble gorge guzzle heap ingurgitate jam overeat overfill press satiate slop slosh squash tamp thrust wolf
WEAK
jam-pack pack 'em in pack in pack it in pack like sardines stive
Antonyms
STRONG
abstain diet fast let go nibble pull release surrender uncompress yield
WEAK
let out open
VERB
crowd
Synonyms
STRONGEST
cluster congest congregate deluge flock gather huddle overcrowd pack pile squeeze stream swamp swarm throng
STRONG
bear bunch bundle chock crush elbow jam mass muster push ram shove squash squish surge troop
WEAK
jam-pack justle pack 'em in pack like sardines top off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
disperse distribute divide scatter separate spread
STRONG
pull
WEAK
abandon leave retreat
VERB
jam-pack
Synonyms
WEAK
bear bunch bundle chock cluster congest congregate cram crush deluge elbow flock gather huddle jam justle load mass mob muster overcrowd pack pack 'em in pack like sardines pile push ram shove squash squeeze squish stream stuff surge swamp swarm throng top off troop
VERB
pack
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bind cram crowd lade load pile squeeze stuff throng
STRONG
arrange charge chock choke compress condense contract heap insert jam mob press push ram tamp wedge
WEAK
drive in jam-pack put away ram in thrust in top off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
release
STRONG
enlarge expand extend increase leave alone lengthen pull stretch
WEAK
allocate dismantle disperse dispose distribute keep maintain unpack untie

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Better than being an old sardine tin with a few fins left in it.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

Jackie Smook stands with a sardine puppet that she made in a day at her home workshop.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 5, 2025

Built for a housing association, it was known to taxi drivers as the sardine can, and both architects and their families took flats there.

From BBC • Sep. 29, 2025

The team attributed the 1980s weight decline to an increase in Japanese sardine, which likely led to greater competition for food within and between fish species.

From Science Daily • Feb. 28, 2024

They would take off from Terminal Island, help each other find the schools of sardine, share nets and radio equipment— competing and cooperating at the same time.

From "Farewell to Manzanar" by Jeanne Houston

Vocabulary lists containing sardine

Inside Out & Back Again

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Amazing Animals, A-Z

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

Amazing Animals, List 2

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!