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 The crass charmer Loretta (Judith Miller) is spit-shining her establishment, known for its knick-knacks alongside an Orange Crush machine that spins the sugary libation. David John Chávez, Mercury News, 28 June 2025 After a game in January where Luna played through a broken nose and registered an assist despite being elbowed in the face by a player from Costa Rica, Pochettino praised his young midfielder with a memorably crass description. Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 16 June 2025 Swearing and vulgarity aren’t just crass or abusive. CNN Money, 15 June 2025 On last year’s follow-up, Carpenter stepped into her own, unafraid of appearing crass or saying the wrong thing in public. Chris Malone Méndez, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for crass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crass
Adjective
  • Her choice to respond by telling me to 'shut the f*** up' and to 'calm my p*****' was vulgar, dismissive and escalated the issue entirely.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
  • As deadly wildfires raged across Southern California in January, a Los Angeles city official lamented to the city council and others how they were forced to listen to hateful, vulgar language from some members of the public.
    BrieAnna J. Frank, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Think scarf head coverings for women in Catholic churches, shoe removal for all to enter a mosque, yarmulkes required for men in synagogues, but also pay attention to the cultural norms away from houses of worship and behave accordingly to avoid being considered a rude American.
    Jenny Peters, Oc Register, 4 Aug. 2025
  • The Reddit community nearly unanimously branded the boyfriend as rude and tone-deaf.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • As crude oil inventories begin to build around the world, oil prices should fall.
    Matt Randolph, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
  • The other measures the company is proposing include improvements to its fluidized catalytic-cracking units, which help turn crude oil into gasoline, and installing carbon monoxide analyzers to ensure equipment is running efficiently.
    Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Covering the soil with a ½ inch of coarse sand or fine gravel can also discourage egg laying.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 30 July 2025
  • The attachment comes with four ice molds, an ice cup, and two different shaving blades (fine and coarse) that attach to the cup.
    Mark Marino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • Moonshot founder Vidhya Ramalingam believes this escalation from online abuse to in-person stalking is a common pattern — and one that security teams can learn to anticipate.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2025
  • The graphic below shows his most common line-breaking passes in La Liga last season.
    Pol Ballús, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on crass

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