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 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 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 In the series adaptation, from creator, executive producer and co-showrunner Turner (Up In The Air, X-Men First Class), a ruthless and crass barbarian is cursed to only use his violence for good, which sends him, his talking axe and a young witch on a road of self discovery, redemption and revenge. Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for crass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crass
Adjective
  • Sean Goode, a former Canton police sergeant who was working the night of John O'Keefe's death and testified during the first Karen Read trial, allegedly sent dozens of vulgar text messages, according to an independent investigation.
    Matt Schooley, CBS News, 29 June 2026
  • Others were removed early on for vulgar or inappropriate comments, according to a PGA Tour source with knowledge of the events, with five spectators in total ejected from the tournament with six holes to go.
    Brody Miller, New York Times, 21 June 2026
Adjective
  • Due Amici brings Brooklyn roots and authenticity, right down to the counter service that’s not rude but not exactly warm.
    Peter St. Onge Updated June 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 June 2026
  • It’s widely considered rude and annoying when people cluster by the train doors if there are more people on the platform attempting to get on.
    Claudia Fisher, Travel + Leisure, 15 June 2026
Adjective
  • To create your own mix, use a combination of two parts potting soil and one part perlite or coarse sand to grow your spider plant in.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 30 June 2026
  • The varying sizes of these tools suggest threads of different thicknesses, and that indicates both finer and coarser textiles, and likely the use of a range of raw materials.
    Leslie Katz, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Adjective
  • Room-service delivery robots are already common in hotels across many large Chinese cities.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
  • The most common cat colors are orange, black, cream or gray, but cats can come in unique hues, such as chocolate or lilac.
    Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Adjective
  • Avila's family sued Tesla last week, alleging her death resulted from the company's gross negligence and failure to warn consumers that its self-driving systems were defective.
    Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
  • One major carmaker earns $2,019 per truck/SUV in accessories, generating $350 million in annual gross profit—nearly a third of its vehicle profits.
    Sarwant Singh, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Crass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crass. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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