as in crowded
formal
having a large population
a populous seaport the most populous state in the U.S.
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Recent Examples of populous
Among them are governors of the most populous blue states, California and New York, and several governors who are considered possible 2028 presidential candidates, including California's Gavin Newsom, Illinois' JB Pritzker and Maryland's Moore.
—
NPR, 15 Oct. 2025
Macomb County has a new public defender leading an office of nearly two dozen attorneys providing legal defense and representation to those who cannot afford it in Michigan's third most populous county.
—Christina Hall, Freep.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Parliament in 2024 approved the entry of foreign banks, and a June directive by the National Bank of Ethiopia allowed foreign commercial banks to apply for licenses in one of Africa’s most populous markets.
—Martin K.n Siele, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Riverside County authorities filed 299 last year; After that, none of the 55 other California counties, including the most populous, Los Angeles County, filed more than 200, according to figures from the state Department of Justice.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for populous
NPR, 15 Oct. 2025
Macomb County has a new public defender leading an office of nearly two dozen attorneys providing legal defense and representation to those who cannot afford it in Michigan's third most populous county.
—Christina Hall, Freep.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Parliament in 2024 approved the entry of foreign banks, and a June directive by the National Bank of Ethiopia allowed foreign commercial banks to apply for licenses in one of Africa’s most populous markets.
—Martin K.n Siele, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Riverside County authorities filed 299 last year; After that, none of the 55 other California counties, including the most populous, Los Angeles County, filed more than 200, according to figures from the state Department of Justice.
—Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for populous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for populous
Adjective
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For ten days in July, fighter jets roared, infantry exchanged fire in crowded streets, and mobile missile launchers twirled their payloads from sandy beachheads as part of its annual Han Kuang exercises.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
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Still, the incident highlights vulnerabilities in airport security, especially in crowded areas not overseen by TSA officers.—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Funyyzo Wide-Leg Pants Inspired by Kelly Clarkson Or, consider copying Clarkson’s red-hot look with these vibrant pants that have amassed more than 5,100 perfect ratings.—
Averi Baudler,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
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The movie skyrocketed in popularity, earning acclaim for its vibrant animation and standout voice performances.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Populous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/populous. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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