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
  • People who are rude or unaware with receptionists can poison your culture, create unnecessary hierarchies, and drive your best people to leave.
    Jessica Neal, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025
  • In a post on the AITA subreddit, the original poster (OP) explained that her sister, 34, who's always rude to her, has a 6-year-old son.
    Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Under the new terms of the license, Chevron was authorized to pay fees and royalties to Venezuela in oil but not in cash, effectively reducing Chevron’s crude exports from the country by half, according to Reuters.
    Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Jet fuels and other petroleum products are refined from crude oil, and contain chemicals that are toxic to humans when inhaled.
    Connor Giffin, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Few appetizers are as easy to prepare and universally appealing as a steamy bowl of edamame pods enhanced with coarse salt.
    Tammy Algood, Southern Kitchen, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Simply pump the handle to cut food into fine, chunky, or coarse bits as needed.
    Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • What these places have in common is a large military presence.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025
  • As an example, in the study the authors showcase a common AI benchmark called Grade School Math 8K (GSM8K), which measures performance on a set of basic math questions.
    Jared Perlo, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • The families of seven campers and two counselors who died in the catastrophic flooding that swept through Camp Mystic this summer are suing the Texas camp and its owners, accusing them of gross negligence, according to three lawsuits filed Monday.
    Pamela Brown, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
  • The film received positive reviews from critics upon its release and went on to gross over $130 million worldwide.
    Joe Otterson, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Crass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crass. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.

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