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 notion of any return to normality feels abhorrent just now — a crass, unwelcome intrusion into private grief. Andy Jones, New York Times, 6 July 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 After a game in January where Luna played through a broken nose and registered an assist despite being elbowed in the face by a player from Costa Rica, Pochettino praised his young midfielder with a memorably crass description. Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 16 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for crass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crass
Adjective
  • Her choice to respond by telling me to 'shut the f*** up' and to 'calm my p*****' was vulgar, dismissive and escalated the issue entirely.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025
  • As deadly wildfires raged across Southern California in January, a Los Angeles city official lamented to the city council and others how they were forced to listen to hateful, vulgar language from some members of the public.
    BrieAnna J. Frank, USA Today, 13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Fox News host Dana Perino, a former White House press secretary, called out how rude the governor’s messages tended to be.
    Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2025
  • The Russian military faced a rude surprise on Ukrainian battlefields in part because in Vladimir Putin’s Russia, professionalism is secondary to politics.
    David French, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The other measures the company is proposing include improvements to its fluidized catalytic-cracking units, which help turn crude oil into gasoline, and installing carbon monoxide analyzers to ensure equipment is running efficiently.
    Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 16 Aug. 2025
  • The crude oil leak from a train that derailed in Dodge County on Aug. 15 has been contained, officials said.
    David Clarey, jsonline.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Fishing licenses for trout and coarse fishing were available for a one-day period at a cost of $9.91, and the Environment Agency stressed that everyone who fished needed a license to support river and lake conservation and angling activities.
    Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025
  • The razor, designed in Finland, also has Swedish specialty steel blades tuned sharper for the coarse leg and body hair of a man.
    Lisa Jhung, Outside, 9 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • While tick removal is common in Sweden, the location of Olympia's tick made at-home extraction impossible.
    Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Aug. 2025
  • Dr Philippou predicts that seven-figure moves will become increasingly common.
    Cerys Jones, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Crass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crass. Accessed 31 Aug. 2025.

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