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 But as some critics cited the lawsuit after the shooting, or even joked about it, others viewed these reactions as crass. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024 Biden’s half-century political career is littered with mendacity, self-dealing, and crass calculations. The Editors, National Review, 2 Dec. 2024 Pop listeners tend to have (often misguided) opinions about those two genres: Rap is crass, country is uncool. Justin Curto, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2024 What follows is an all-too-plausible scenario of crass consumerism gone wild, economic collapse and terror when all the apparats stop working. F.d. Flam, The Mercury News, 23 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for crass 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crass
Adjective
  • Deadpool & Wolverine was far more graphic and vulgar than previous Marvel Studios projects — but one of its especially dirty lines didn't make the cut.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 30 Nov. 2024
  • With Election Day on the horizon, Elon Musk is leaning into violent and vulgar rhetoric.
    Bruna Horvath, NBC News, 29 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • Recently, Amy's sister, Tammy Slaton, faced criticism for being rude to her in a November episode of 1,000-lb.
    Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
  • Eye contact, valued in some cultures as a sign of openness and candor, might be seen as rude or intrusive elsewhere.
    Carol Kinsey Goman, Ph.D., Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The ship detained by Finland passed over the cables, investigators say Finnish investigators have detained the Eagle S, a 70,000-ton crude oil tanker registered in the Cook Islands.
    Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 31 Dec. 2024
  • As a result of these attacks, Russia's average daily production of crude oil in 2024 hit 1,254 metric tons per day, its lowest since 2005.
    George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Find it on Amazon Handmade Kent 9T Graphite Hair Comb for Gentle Untangling Handmade from cellulose acetate, this saw-cut comb gently glides through short, long, straight, curly, fine, and coarse hair to tenderly undo tangles and remove knots.
    Hyphensocial Contributors, Rolling Stone, 6 Dec. 2024
  • Salt And Oil Some cooks like to use coarse salt to remove stubborn messes on cast iron.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Ryder also compared the drone sightings to seeing a car driving nearby or a common neighborhood occurrence.
    Stephen Pastis, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
  • Twigs and small sticks are common nesting material.
    Lauren David, Southern Living, 20 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near crass

Cite this Entry

“Crass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crass. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on crass

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