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 most places, private companies can fire employees for any reason — and that includes crass social media posts, said Jeffrey Hirsch, a professor of labor and employment law at the University of North Carolina. Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 13 Sep. 2025 Edwards, along with protesting comrade Tom Hopper (Raife Hastings) and crass CIA contractor Jules Landry (Luke Hemsworth) join a secret CIA unit fighting terrorism in Europe. Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025 Liverpool fans know how hurtful crass chants can be. Simon Hughes, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025 To achieve this encyclopedic scope, Joyce opened every door between the divine thought of Thomas Aquinas and crass Dublin newspaper ads. Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for crass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crass
Adjective
  • Who decides what’s decorous and what’s vulgar?
    Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2025
  • The president has been targeting Jeffries online with offensive and vulgar memes since the pair first had an unsuccessful sit-down meeting in the Oval Office just before the shutdown.
    Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Combined with not intervening too often, this will minimize the number of rude responses.
    Judith Martin, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Basil, of course, is far from perfect, a rude, neurotic, accident-prone manager who insults guests, hides his gambling winnings from his wife and organizes an elaborate impersonation of her when his surprise anniversary party backfires.
    Rhett Bartlett, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Big Oil leaders Exxon Mobil, Chevron, and Shell continue to hike their crude oil production volumes from West Texas’s Permian Basin to the Gulf of Mexico to deepwater Guyana despite concerns of a rising global oil glut as OPEC nations keep exporting more barrels each month.
    Jordan Blum, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Burke gave the only 9 on a panel full of 10s, prompting the crude call out.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Short and/or fine hair sets faster than long, thick, coarse hair.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025
  • Start with turbinado sugar, which has a coarse texture and a caramel-like flavor that complements coffee beautifully.
    Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The most common diagnoses included disorders in speech and motor function development and autism.
    Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
  • But the most common way the demons attacked was by lulling their victims into sleep.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • That is $45,540 a year, meaning rent alone would take up roughly 54% of gross income—well above the standard 30% affordability threshold.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 3 Nov. 2025
  • That ambition is now known as Shelby Oaks, which, after two weeks in the marketplace, is headed toward profitability with a $4 million-plus gross worldwide.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 3 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Crass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crass. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on crass

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