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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 Tightly integrated dense mid palate that is a cherry explosion with some menthol as well as black cherries and morels. Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025 There are hundreds of perennial and low-growing shrub groundcover plants, including short ornamental grasses that provide thick, dense cover, control erosion, and choke out weeds while enhancing the overall landscape. Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 May 2025 Really dense part of the schedule here where these nicks and bruises are part of it. Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2025 The Yoruba people believe that the Osun-Osogbo grove, which sprawls across 185 acres of dense forest, is the goddess Osun’s earthly home. Ogar Monday, Christian Science Monitor, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for dense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dense
Adjective
  • The 124th Running of The Dinner Party Stakes A crowded field turned toward the final stretch of the 1 1/8-mile turf run, the last race before the evening’s main event, before Fort Washington pulled away with Cash Equity surging.
    Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 17 May 2025
  • These animals were housed in crowded stables, transported in train cars across the country and shipped overseas.
    John Drake, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • The younger Cave, with a mop of jet black hair and thick eyebrows just like his father, is talking to The Hollywood Reporter about being directed by Kristen Stewart in her feature film debut.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2025
  • At the opposite end of the court, a thick layer of melancholy was present.
    Kelly Iko, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • Andrew Weitz — a style consultant and men’s fashion expert who steers a firm called The Weitz Effect — recently fielded a call from a client with a packed European itinerary on the horizon.
    Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2025
  • The lunch was part of a packed schedule for the president, who is currently touring the Middle East.
    Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • France One of my upcoming podcast guests, Mary Alice Duff, decided to swap the hustle of life in Philadelphia for the slower pace of southern France.
    Cepee Tabibian, CNBC, 18 May 2025
  • Combs Grows Frustrated Combs was animated during Ventura’s cross-examination, appearing somewhat frustrated with the tedious, slow pace that his attorney was taking when quizzing Ventura.
    Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 18 May 2025
Adjective
  • Construction budgets will also increase if tighter immigration policies result in labor shortages.
    Ted Reed, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
  • And don’t even think about trying to change clothes in a tight plane bathroom.
    Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • In one sense, this isn’t an entirely stupid proposition.
    Air Mail, Air Mail, 3 May 2025
  • Vel rails against the offender, saying her lover was the kind of warrior the Ghor rebels are trying to be and that her loss is both incalculable and stupid.
    Noel Murray, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Kia's new Sportage compact SUV model year is on its way.
    Charles Singh, USA Today, 10 May 2025
  • This compact kit includes a mix of waterproof, antibacterial, and flexible bandages to cover whatever comes your way.
    Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • Ratajkowski has been fighting the stereotype of the dumb model from the beginning of her career.
    Daniel Jackson, Allure, 18 July 2017
  • Ninety nine percent of all NFL players are explicitly not dumb.
    Andy Benoit, The MMQB, 10 July 2017

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Cite this Entry

“Dense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dense. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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