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
  • A day before a shooter killed four people and set fire to a church in Michigan, students at a football game in Colorado chanted vulgar anti-Mormon slurs against the same religious organization.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Colorado has condemned a vulgar chant its fans directed at BYU during its football team’s 24-21 loss Saturday at Folsom Field.
    David Ubben, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Your neighbors may even call you rude.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Crowd in New York has been bordered on rude; embarrassing!
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The El Segundo refinery, built in 1911, processes 276,000 barrels of crude oil daily, the company said on its website.
    Hanna Park, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The El Segundo oil refinery is capable of refining 290,000 barrels of crude oil per day, Chevron says on its website, and its primary products are gasoline, jet and diesel.
    Sam Meredith, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Simply pump the handle to cut food into fine, chunky, or coarse bits as needed.
    Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2025
  • However, the bast fiber’s coarse characteristics have limited its use in denim.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In the snapshots below, common UPF ingredients are easy to spot in a range of popular foods.
    Stephen J. Beard, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The most common mistake is planting them too deeply, which results in mostly foliage growth and no flowers.
    Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Little ones who are new to riding can hone their balance, gross motor skills, and confidence through riding a balance bike.
    Anja Webb, Parents, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Those include higher prices on some products, as well as more innovative product that can sustain higher price points and consequently drive more gross profit margin.
    Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Crass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crass. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on crass

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