as in crowded
formal
having a large population
a populous seaport the most populous state in the U.S.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of populous
The gunfire was the latest in a series of fatal shootings in Minnesota’s most populous city in less than 24 hours.
—
Mark Vancleave, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
The idea of splitting California, the most populous state, has been floated in the past, without gaining significant traction.
—Julia Mueller, The Hill, 27 Aug. 2025
Safaricom is also targeting a growth in subscriber numbers in the country, driven by the move to digital payments in Africa’s second-most populous country.
—Preeti Jha, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Five other populous Arizona communities that are sometimes viewed as suburbs — Mesa, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Glendale and Chandler — now rank as top-100 cities nationally, along with Phoenix and Tucson.
—Russ Wiles, AZCentral.com, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for populous
Mark Vancleave, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
The idea of splitting California, the most populous state, has been floated in the past, without gaining significant traction.
—Julia Mueller, The Hill, 27 Aug. 2025
Safaricom is also targeting a growth in subscriber numbers in the country, driven by the move to digital payments in Africa’s second-most populous country.
—Preeti Jha, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Five other populous Arizona communities that are sometimes viewed as suburbs — Mesa, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Glendale and Chandler — now rank as top-100 cities nationally, along with Phoenix and Tucson.
—Russ Wiles, AZCentral.com, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for populous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for populous
Adjective
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On crowded factory floors, machines must share space with each other and with obstacles while working at high speed.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Sep. 2025
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The evening included readings of erotic poetry by James Massiah and Adult Entertainment, sensual cocktails canapés by Heal Goblin, as well as beers and cans of water for those who couldn’t get into the crowded venue that poured out onto the street.—
Hikmat Mohammed,
Footwear News,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Nebraska’s prairies and parks are known for their vibrant wildflowers like prairie clover, goldenrods, and asters—but sunflowers are the real showstoppers in the fall.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Sep. 2025
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This recipe, which requires just 15 minutes of hands-on time, brings the vibrant flavors of taco soup to life in one delicious recipe.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Populous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/populous. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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