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
  • These particular coffee-shop customers picked the wrong day to be rude, though.
    Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Meanwhile, the Lions give a rude welcome back to Ben Johnson, while the 49ers run over the Saints.
    Vic Tafur, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The two firms are also considering building an oil pipeline and storage facility in Oman to help boost Iraq’s crude exports.
    Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • That prompted a frustrated Webex engineer, Eric Yuan, to quit and start Zoom, which is why WebEx looks like a crude prototype of what Zoom became.
    Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • While coarse checked plaid is often used in more rustic situations, the princess's midi-dress can only be described as elegant.
    Katharina Fuchs, Glamour, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Following Phillips’ scheme, Manabe broke his computerized, 3D atmosphere into a coarse grid of boxes.
    Zack Savitsky, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Democrats have responded by condemning Kirk's assassination and all political violence, which has become increasingly common against members of both parties and individuals of all stripes.
    Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Selling general partnership stakes to firms like Blue Owl or Petershill Partners has become common for elite private equity firms over the past decade, and several private equity giants are also publicly traded.
    Hank Tucker, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • One of the most worrisome harbingers of future affordability is that Florida added more than 700,000 units with gross rents higher than $1,200 monthly between 2012 and 2022.
    Jeffrey Steele, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • But that figure set a franchise record — highest-ever premiere gross — and given the tendency of the films kickstarted by 2013's The Conjuring to endure in theaters long after their opens, Last Rites is sure to keep adding to its coffers.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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