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 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 Directed by Nicolas Athane and Marco Nguyen, Jim Queen is a crass, profane, giddily stupid romp through a heap of stereotypes about gay life in Paris. Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for crass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crass
Adjective
  • Lonnie is loud, obnoxious, and vulgar in ways that rankle traditional golfers.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 16 July 2026
  • Suki, a vocal Black woman with an at times vulgar persona, whereas Althoff, a white woman, gained a reputation as an awkward, seemingly timid interviewer on her The Really Good Podcast.
    Meagan Jordan, VIBE.com, 10 July 2026
Adjective
  • In the nearly 90-second recording, Varela calls the customer service representative lazy, rude and racist and asks her for her name tag.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
  • Posey can deliver an absurd line with such conviction that arguing with her would seem rude.
    Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Adjective
  • After drying, stick the cuttings into small pots filled with coarse potting soil to ensure proper drainage.
    Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 17 July 2026
  • Emily Young, a spokesperson for the Lake County Health Department, said in an email that there are fine particulates and coarse particulates.
    Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026
Adjective
  • The combination of these two groups feeding on a single stem of common milkweed cleared all the leaves and seed pods within three days.
    Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
  • The biggest common factor across Asia is longevity, Park said – and how people are thinking differently about the final part of their lives.
    Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 26 July 2026
Adjective
  • No investment banks upgraded or downgraded Tesla after the latest results, which delivered a revenue beat but an earnings miss as free cash flow turned negative and gross margins narrowed.
    Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 24 July 2026
  • In 1974, the company took in $150,000 in gross revenue, with $36,000 in profit.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Crass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crass. Accessed 28 Jul. 2026.

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