populous

adjective

Definition of populousnext
as in crowded
formal having a large population a populous seaport the most populous state in the U.S.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 populous Democrats have hoped to mount a comeback in the diverse, populous and economically dynamic state but have struggled to craft a message that resonates with the state’s electorate. — Matt Brown, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026 Gillum narrowly lost the general election to Republican Ron DeSantis by fewer than 34,000 votes in the third most-populous state. — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026 The 39 countries include Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, Zimbabwe, Venezuela, Afghanistan and Haiti. — Stuart Anderson, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 Blakeman is well liked in Nassau, one of the most populous counties in New York, and has promoted himself as a centrist in campaign advertising. — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for populous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for populous
  1. crowded
  2. vibrant
Adjective
  • As neighborhoods become more crowded, smaller cars are easier to maneuver.
    — Beth Livesay, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Many brands, particularly in today’s ever-more crowded and competitive makeup environment, might have launched anyway.
    — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of crowded
Adjective
  • Beyond the seating area is the hotel shop with a vibrant range of pottery to drool over.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Anthony Ortega has been to Egypt and jumped at the chance to experience a piece of history in this vibrant setting.
    — Andrea Nakano, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of vibrant

Browse Nearby Words

populists
populous
porcelain
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Populous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/populous. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of tilde

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All