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 While crass and lazy, the moniker did at least have a link to reality at a time when her male counterpart was excelling. Adam Leventhal, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2026 Season 4 does introduce the three new Americans via Tender — an online payment system used for gambling and pornography sites, which becomes the focal point of Season 4 — with Penn’s Jonah bringing a crass brand of American humor to the season premiere. Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 14 Jan. 2026 Often, the art created out of activism is productive and instructional, rather than crass or shocking, Duarte said. Charlotte Observer, 26 Dec. 2025 Unable to project solemn grief, conservatives went with spectacle and crass remarks. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 21 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for crass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crass
Adjective
  • Lewd and vulgar language is banned.
    Matt Schooley, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Bauder admonished the crowd several times for being too noisy, and police removed a protester who yelled vulgar comments.
    Heather Hollingsworth, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Kobabe conveys the quiet pain of being misgendered in ostensibly non-hostile environments and the fear of being perceived as inconvenient or rude.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Even a bit rude and dismissive?
    Sharareh Drury, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • That was a bit of a turnoff for this old traditionalist, who thinks politics has gotten too coarse and foul-mouthed.
    George Skelton, Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Using a pastry blender, cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
    Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The design here avoids ski-lodge clichés but maintains splendid common areas, including a cozy library and a grand lobby decorated with stone and wood finishes and splashes of rich red and orange hues.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Mar. 2026
  • These reactions are common and typically reflect difficulty trusting the body rather than a lack of motivation or effort.
    Ian McMahan, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The Orient Express Corinthian, set to become the world’s largest sailing cruise ship, measures 721 feet in length and has a 25,200-gross-ton displacement.
    Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 15 Mar. 2026
  • When negotiations first started more than a year ago, the union was asking for 40% of gross revenue and had come down to 26% before the marathon in-person bargaining session Tuesday.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Crass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crass. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.

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