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 Land of the Lost (2009) The big, fat, truly awful belly-flop on his résumé, this leaden reboot/spoof of the 1970s TV series has everything: ugly CGI; a dumb homage to A Chorus Line; crass boob jokes; Jorma Taccone playing a monkey; Matt Lauer. Tim Grierson, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2025 Trump sued Maher in 2013 for $5 million after Maher made a crass joke about Trump’s mother and an orangutan. Elizabeth Crisp, The Hill, 31 Mar. 2025 He’s been accused of misogyny, thanks to his occasionally crass and combative online takes. Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2025 Truth to tell, the humor here is frequently at a pretty crass level that might induce mere eye-rolls if less deftly handled. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for crass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crass
Adjective
  • The comments in screen shots of the chat room were demeaning and vulgar – as were the texts from the anonymous messenger who had sent her the images.
    Yoonjung Seo and Mike Valerio, CNN Money, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Where once was the vulgar, now lies the Vulgate, a common relatable almost religious experience that all at Barclays seemed to feel.
    Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Be Courtesy To Other Shoppers To a Southerner, manners are top of mind, so pushing, shoving, and being rude over buying things doesn’t jive with a genteel way of life.
    Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The same employee, who Shea said was also rude to her, answered and told her the company was closed.
    PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Gas prices, however, are now generally higher than when Trump took office on January 20, when the national average was $3.125, according to AAA data—despite the price of crude oil plunging after his tariff announcements.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
  • After water, in some fields the engineers turn to injecting steam, which further softens up stubborn crude oil.
    Christopher Helman, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • For thick, coarse, or extra dry hair requiring more replenishment, apply after conditioner.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Cornmeal: Blue cornmeal can be used to make cornbread, cakes, and all sorts of goods that require coarse, medium, or fine meal.
    Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Then the clams disappeared Nov. 29, 2021 Sparkman warned against taking common species for granted.
    Sean Greene, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Jessica Rock, Georgia's leading prosecutor for animal crimes, told USA TODAY that dog fighting rings are more common than people think.
    Krystal Nurse, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Crass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crass. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

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