dense

adjective

ˈden(t)s How to pronounce dense (audio)
Definition of densenext
1
as in crowded
having little space between items or parts the dense soil in the garden

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in thick
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily she accused him of being dense when he didn't seem to understand her at first

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective dense contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of dense are crass, dull, dumb, and stupid. While all these words mean "lacking in power to absorb ideas or impressions," dense implies a thickheaded imperviousness to ideas.

too dense to take a hint

When can crass be used instead of dense?

The words crass and dense can be used in similar contexts, but crass suggests a grossness of mind precluding discrimination or delicacy.

a crass, materialistic people

When might dull be a better fit than dense?

While the synonyms dull and dense 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 dense?

The meanings of dumb and dense largely overlap; however, dumb applies to an exasperating obtuseness or lack of comprehension.

too dumb to figure out what's going on

When is it sensible to use stupid instead of dense?

The words stupid and dense 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 dense Yellow cake is known for its moist, rich texture and slightly denser crumb, with a golden hue thanks to whole eggs and butter. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 10 Nov. 2025 There are next to no adults, and the characters speak in dense jargon, like Dashiell Hammett cosplay. —Anna Russell, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025 Turkey is one of the leanest and most nutrient-dense meats available. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025 What to eat Research also suggests that women avoid restrictive diets during perimenopause and eat high protein and nutrient-dense foods. —Olivia Lee, Charlotte Observer, 10 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dense
  1. crowded
  2. thick
  3. packed
  4. slow
  5. tight
  6. dumb
  7. compact
  8. stupid
Adjective
  • Wearing a well-fitting, high-quality mask in crowded indoor spaces also can reduce the risk of contracting respiratory infections or spreading your illness to others.
    — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
  • With wintry weather and crowded airports, Thanksgiving travel can already be stressful.
    — Juliana Kim, NPR, 6 Nov. 2025
Definition of crowded
Adjective
  • The thick artificial foliage is pre-lit with warm white LED bulbs spaced through the entire length of the 10-foot piece.
    — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 5 Nov. 2025
  • With more than 38,000 gallons of fuel on board the cargo flight bound for Hawaii, the crash created a massive ball of fire – punctuated by smaller explosions from flammable material on the ground – and sent a towering plume of thick black smoke into the sky.
    — Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
Definition of thick
Adjective
  • And the original stage musical, which first hit Broadway 22 years ago, is still playing to packed houses on the Great White Way.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Serielizados also served on Friday a high-caliber masterclass by Alan Ball, received by yelps of reverent enthusiasm from a fandom packed audience.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025
Definition of packed
Adjective
  • Hoover finished 319 yards on 34-of-50 passing, but his two turnovers were critical mistakes that led to TCU’s slow start in the first half.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Nov. 2025
  • When visiting the exhibit, plan on taking your time to make the most of it, or what the American Federation of Arts calls slow looking.
    — Susan B. Barnes, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2025
Definition of slow
Adjective
  • As an example, Sopo said that in some majority-Hispanic Congressional districts in South Texas, conservative Latinos ran in races with historically tight margins of victory.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
  • But Charlotte Republicans are now left wondering how supposed tight races ran away from them and what comes next for their beleaguered party.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 7 Nov. 2025
Definition of tight
Adjective
  • As Legally Blonde's Elle Woods, Witherspoon charted a memorable path from dumb blonde to Harvard Law School graduate.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Celebrities fight it out to be eliminated from the competition as quickly as possible to avoid being crowned the nation’s dumbest.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2025
Definition of dumb
Adjective
  • The source of the flare is an active galactic nucleus, or AGN — a bright, compact region at the center of a galaxy — and it’s powered by a supermassive black hole that is actively feeding on material.
    — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025
  • The compact form of 'Lemon-Lime' Nandina is well suited to patio containers and looks fabulous when massed in borders or planted as a low maintenance, natural hedge.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 6 Nov. 2025
Definition of compact
Adjective
  • What gave me the crazy idea to stand at the bar, listening to that woman being praised for her stupid f---ing commitment to New York City and her ugly f---ing buildings?
    — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Her mechanism for luring victims involves a stick, someone’s hair, her blood, and another person stupid enough to let her through their front door.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2025
Definition of stupid

Browse Nearby Words

dens
dense
denseness
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Cite this Entry

“Dense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dense. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.

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