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
The expansion would include Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria, as well as other large nations including DR Congo, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
—
Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 18 June 2025
Protesters flooded the nation's second most populous city's downtown for days, some of which devolved into violence as protesters burned cars and looted buildings.
—Riley Beggin, USA Today, 18 June 2025
The ancestral Menominee community that built the agricultural system uncovered by this new research, however, seems to have been less populous and hierarchical than a place like Cahokia, showing that large-scale agriculture may have been a part of life in very different kinds of societies.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 6 June 2025
The – the state of California, the most populous state in the nation, the most diverse state in the nation, home to more immigrants than any state in the nation, mostly documented, some undocumented.
—/ Cbs News, CBS News, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for populous
Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 18 June 2025
Protesters flooded the nation's second most populous city's downtown for days, some of which devolved into violence as protesters burned cars and looted buildings.
—Riley Beggin, USA Today, 18 June 2025
The ancestral Menominee community that built the agricultural system uncovered by this new research, however, seems to have been less populous and hierarchical than a place like Cahokia, showing that large-scale agriculture may have been a part of life in very different kinds of societies.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 6 June 2025
The – the state of California, the most populous state in the nation, the most diverse state in the nation, home to more immigrants than any state in the nation, mostly documented, some undocumented.
—/ Cbs News, CBS News, 15 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for populous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for populous
Adjective
-
After the air space across large swaths of the Middle East turned into a no-fly zone, the skies over Afghanistan have become increasingly crowded as airlines seek alternative flight paths to connect Asia with Europe and the US.—
Leen Al-Rashdan,
Fortune,
21 June 2025
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Each year, throngs of visitors strap on crampons to experience the icy wilderness firsthand, and the well-trodden paths can sometimes feel more crowded than remote—but that may soon change.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
21 June 2025
Adjective
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The serene scene is meant to mimic the dichotomy of the scent: a powerful blend of florals mixed with vibrant woody notes.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
1 July 2025
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Imagine a city where businesses thrive, emergency response is seamless and efficient, and neighborhoods pulse with energy—a world full of Smart, Safe Cities, where technology and community spirit unite to create a safe, vibrant environment.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Populous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/populous. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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