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 idea that women should lose the right to vote is shaping up to be more than a crass punchline or a dystopian viewpoint, but one that Pete Hegseth, a member of the president’s cabinet, appears to agree with. Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 12 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 Set free from the limitations of lyricist Rice’s crass social climber, the actress finds much more expression and emotion in the second half, as Eva navigates ambition, public perception and illness. Demetrios Matheou, HollywoodReporter, 2 July 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for crass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crass
Adjective
  • The book is filled with vulgar pictures, with many faces blacked out, and messages both handwritten and typed from well-wishers for Epstein’s 50th birthday.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The biopic is the vulgar but necessary tribute inherently populist cinema pays to more traditional, higher-brow art.
    Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In interviews, Candy, who struggled with his weight for much of his life, had to deal with the press making rude comments about his size.
    Brent Lang, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
  • This question becomes thornier once Dorotea visits Rocca in prison, finding her rude and abrasive though not irrational.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Trump is mentioned again on Page 156 of the birthday book document in a photo and a handwritten caption with a crude joke allegedly penned by Joel Pashcow, who the Wall Street Journal reports is a long-time Mar-a-Lago member.
    Siladitya Ray, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The data also shows that the Reliance refinery gets nearly half its crude oil from Russia.
    Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Terms of service change often, logging is limited and controls can be coarse and generalized.
    Mark Doble, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Leave the texture of the graham crackers at a coarse crush.
    Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Perhaps this summer’s most common complainants have been Aston Villa.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Eggs, fish and a healthy dose of vegetables are also common threads throughout the menu.
    Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Most executives can recite their gross margin, customer acquisition cost and debt-to-equity ratio without glancing at a dashboard.
    Heather Yerrid, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The first is being able to cover a $1,000 emergency expense; second is having no high-interests debt (excluding a mortgage); followed by not buying designer goods and building wealth quietly; and lastly is the ability to save around 15 percent of gross income.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Crass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crass. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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