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
High-speed trains resumed service Tuesday from Madrid to Sevilla and Malaga, the largest cities in Andalusia, Spain’s most populous region, but passengers had to travel a stretch of the journey by buses provided by the rail service.
—
Joseph Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Rosen, one of the Bay Area’s longest-serving district attorneys in its most populous county, vowed to investigate federal agents who use force against Santa Clara County residents.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2026
Once the world’s most populous nation, China is now among the many Asian countries struggling with anemic fertility rates.
—Dudley L. Poston, Fortune, 16 Jan. 2026
But those with less-than-perfect credit or who live in one of the 12 populous states where Aven does not do business will need to find another lender.
—Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for populous
Joseph Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Rosen, one of the Bay Area’s longest-serving district attorneys in its most populous county, vowed to investigate federal agents who use force against Santa Clara County residents.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2026
Once the world’s most populous nation, China is now among the many Asian countries struggling with anemic fertility rates.
—Dudley L. Poston, Fortune, 16 Jan. 2026
But those with less-than-perfect credit or who live in one of the 12 populous states where Aven does not do business will need to find another lender.
—Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for populous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for populous
Adjective
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Parking lots at hardware stores have gone from crowded to empty because many are running out of salt.—
Kristie Keleshian,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
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Rather than see those losses as failure, Beckham doubled down in the crowded luxury market, continuing to invest alongside outside backers and persistently moving the brand upmarket.—
Gemma Allen,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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What should taste vibrant and layered can end up tasting tired and dull.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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The beachfront Windjammer Landing Resort & Residences is sprinkled with vibrant gardens, sparkling pools, and accommodations ranging from cozy rooms to spacious villas.—
Allison Tibaldi,
USA Today,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Populous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/populous. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.
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