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 Boys and young men have always enjoyed the crassest of humor. Donie O'Sullivan, CNN Money, 6 June 2026 The service There’s nothing as crass as a check-in desk here. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026 In fact, the very term anti-Semitism was popularized by Wilhelm Marr, a German nationalist who sought to distinguish his anti-Jewish ideology from the crass bigotry of the common folk by dressing his hate up in pseudoscientific terms. Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 31 May 2026 But those efforts did their part to contribute to the overall sense of the Cannes Film Festival as the center of the moviegoing world for 11 days in May, somewhere where crass corporate product lived alongside uncompromising arthouse efforts in a broad-spectrum display of what constitutes cinema. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for crass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crass
Adjective
  • But the school’s dress code prohibits messages that are lewd, indecent, vulgar or profane.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Lonnie is loud, obnoxious, and vulgar in ways that rankle traditional golfers.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 16 July 2026
Adjective
  • Downright rude when driving, scooters and bikes weaving in and out, people opening their windows and yelling all the time.
    Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • As Nessie showed at lunch, being real does not necessarily include being rude.
    Brian Moylan, Vulture, 29 July 2026
Adjective
  • The best type of tea to re-steep is anything that starts very potent, or features tea leaves that are on the larger, coarser side, rather than finely ground.
    Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Basic instructions are to fill your puddler almost to the top with coarse sand.
    Joan Morris, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • While shootings involving indiscriminate killings are not common, the country has seen an uptick in high-profile shooting deaths in recent years.
    ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The common spaces are places to linger, from the yellow parlor room to the quiet library.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Driver Harjit Kaur was charged only with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence — a maximum one-year sentence — and has pleaded not guilty and demanded a trial.
    Ruyuan Li. Story produced with AI assistance, Sacbee.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The company also forecasted that its gross merchandise sales would grow by mid-single-digit percentage points for the full year, marking an upward revision of its previous forecast.
    Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Crass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crass. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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