Definition of crassnext

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 Funny and silly without being crass or gross. Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026 While crass and lazy, the moniker did at least have a link to reality at a time when her male counterpart was excelling. Adam Leventhal, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026 Season 4 does introduce the three new Americans via Tender — an online payment system used for gambling and pornography sites, which becomes the focal point of Season 4 — with Penn’s Jonah bringing a crass brand of American humor to the season premiere. Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 14 Jan. 2026 Often, the art created out of activism is productive and instructional, rather than crass or shocking, Duarte said. Charlotte Observer, 26 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for crass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crass
Adjective
  • Doncic claimed Bitadze directed a vulgar comment about Doncic’s family in Serbian toward the Lakers star guard.
    Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Tensions rose, neighbors said, to the point that King was heard at times swearing at Kirsten Wells as well as others using vulgar epithets.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Politically incorrect and in-your-face, with plenty of dark humor accentuating the drama, the show resembles the more cutting-edge TV — think Borgen or Rita — made by Sweden’s ruder neighbor Denmark.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Etiquette neither knows nor cares who is generous and who is stingy, and indecisive and rude are not opposites.
    Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The use of childish internet and video-game memes to describe violence is coarse and unworthy of the men and women who go in harm’s way.
    Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2026
  • My dense, coarser hair holds onto humidity like a sponge.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The year was 1754, and Franklin's goal was to unite the disparate colonies into a coalition against a common enemy.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Sei whales are endangered and are common in the Southeast's waters.
    Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Today, Amy’s Kitchen generates approximately $1 billion in retail sales (translating to roughly $600 million in gross sales) and employs nearly 2,000 people across three culinary facilities.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Greenwich Entertainment comedy Fantasy Life, the first feature from Matthew Shear, opened at the Angelika Film Center in NYC for a solid weekend gross of $39k.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 29 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Crass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crass. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

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