Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective crass contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of crass are dense, dull, dumb, and stupid. While all these words mean "lacking in power to absorb ideas or impressions," crass suggests a grossness of mind precluding discrimination or delicacy.

a crass, materialistic people

When could dense be used to replace crass?

While in some cases nearly identical to crass, dense implies a thickheaded imperviousness to ideas.

too dense to take a hint

In what contexts can dull take the place of crass?

While the synonyms dull and crass are close in meaning, dull suggests a slow or sluggish mind such as results from disease, depression, or shock.

monotonous work that leaves the mind dull

When would dumb be a good substitute for crass?

The synonyms dumb and crass are sometimes interchangeable, but dumb applies to an exasperating obtuseness or lack of comprehension.

too dumb to figure out what's going on

When can stupid be used instead of crass?

The words stupid and crass are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, stupid implies a slow-witted or dazed state of mind that may be either congenital or temporary.

stupid students just keeping the seats warm
stupid with drink

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 crass In my discussions with politicians, bureaucrats, and demographers in Japan last summer, many feared that the solution to the demographic crisis is far too crass to say out loud. Tom Le, Foreign Affairs, 28 Mar. 2025 Alfonso goes head-to-head against a crass but famous on social media CEO Shari de Jesus (Kyline Alcantara), who is being mentored by a powerful industry veteran Velma Imperial (Ruffa Gutierrez). Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 20 Apr. 2025 Trump sued Maher in 2013 for $5 million after the comedian made a crass joke about his mother and an orangutan. Steff Danielle Thomas, The Hill, 19 Apr. 2025 Those other countries don’t seem to have the same proportion of crass blowhards in their political structure as the U.S. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for crass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crass
Adjective
  • Climate change vandals spray-painted a Tesla car dealership in Manhattan on Tuesday to protest Elon Musk’s work with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), but as police arrived, the activists could be seen cleaning off some of the vulgar writing.
    Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Two of the protesters are facing counts including obstructing a law enforcement officer and simple battery on a law enforcement officer, while a third has been charged with using vulgar language, according to Acworth police.
    Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Proctor sent a series of rude, lewd and unprofessional text messages about Read and the investigation, which led to his firing.
    Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2025
  • There was also a three-homer game for Pablo Sandoval in the 2012 World Series, but it’s considered rude to talk about that in 2025.
    Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • In energy trading, U.S. benchmark crude oil added 64 cents to $62.59 per barrel.
    Matt Ott, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2025
  • The positive development has sent oil prices higher as well, with crude oil up over 3.5% in premarket trading.
    JJ Kinahan, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Adjective
  • See the trailer for Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie below (disclaimer: coarse language).
    Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
  • Fine grade or low-scratch scrubbers will help with delicate jobs, while coarse scrubbers can clean cast iron, stone, and even strip paint.
    Abby Wolner, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 20 May 2025
  • And climate change is causing dangerous weather to get more common.
    Rebecca Hersher, NPR, 19 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Crass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crass. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on crass

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