Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective crass contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of crass are dense, dull, dumb, and stupid. While all these words mean "lacking in power to absorb ideas or impressions," crass suggests a grossness of mind precluding discrimination or delicacy.

a crass, materialistic people

When could dense be used to replace crass?

While in some cases nearly identical to crass, dense implies a thickheaded imperviousness to ideas.

too dense to take a hint

In what contexts can dull take the place of crass?

While the synonyms dull and crass are close in meaning, dull suggests a slow or sluggish mind such as results from disease, depression, or shock.

monotonous work that leaves the mind dull

When would dumb be a good substitute for crass?

The synonyms dumb and crass are sometimes interchangeable, but dumb applies to an exasperating obtuseness or lack of comprehension.

too dumb to figure out what's going on

When can stupid be used instead of crass?

The words stupid and crass are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, stupid implies a slow-witted or dazed state of mind that may be either congenital or temporary.

stupid students just keeping the seats warm
stupid with drink

Examples 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 crass Few other Christmas movies are as crass and hilarious as Christmas Vacation. Keith Langston, People.com, 14 Dec. 2024 Crass Words Any crass or overt mention of bodily functions, particularly those involved with reproduction—human, animal, or botanical. Valerie Fraser Luesse, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2024 In 2013, Pearson’s state exams featured crass, commercial product placements as well as reading passages lifted from Pearson textbooks. Kemala Karmen, New York Daily News, 18 Dec. 2024 There is a deeper explanation for this, which, in a crass, regressive move, the author waits a full 236 pages to reveal, and even then only via a leering, Crying Game–style focus on his genitalia. Robert Rubsam, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for crass 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crass
Adjective
  • Her involuntary outbursts cause Dupree to shout a number of things, such as comments about people around her and more vulgar language.
    Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Nearly 100% of the first film’s grosses were made in the U.S. — so few expected the spooky sequel about a vulgar poltergeist to connect in the territories across the pond and beyond this time around either.
    Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • To chastise you for attending to his mistake and then act as though your laundry were now tainted is rude and hypocritical.
    Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 17 Jan. 2025
  • The Joella deluge begins when Lana calls her out at the beginning of the episode for being rude during Untucked about her song.
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The Unity is a crude oil tanker that is 245.07 meters (approximately 804 feet) long and 42 meters (approximately 137 feet) wide, according to MarineTraffic.com.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
  • China’s crude oil imports fell nearly 2% in 2024, marking the first annual drop in two decades, except for during the Covid pandemic.
    Laura Paddison, CNN, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Remove from heat and stir in the coarse salt, making sure it is evenly distributed.
    Kelly Brant, arkansasonline.com, 7 Jan. 2025
  • Fine, oily hair needs different products than dry, coarse hair.
    Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 1 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Even off-axis performance appears strong so far, a common challenge for traditional LED TVs.
    Ryan Waniata, WIRED, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Fever, feeling feverish or chills; cough; sore throat; runny or stuffy nose; muscle or body aches, or fatigue or tiredness; headache; vomiting or diarrhea, which is more common among children.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 19 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near crass

Cite this Entry

“Crass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crass. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on crass

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