1
as in raw
being such as found in nature and not altered by processing or refining
a sizable spill of crude oil along a coastline is the worst kind of environmental disaster
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in primitive
belonging to or characteristic of an early level of skill or development
the crude stone tools that those prehistoric peoples used
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in vulgar
depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society
crude jokes can be considered sexual harassment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in crass
lacking in refinement or good taste
any discussion of one's money is considered crude by the club's blue-blooded members
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in clumsy
hastily or roughly constructed
a crude hut that was constructed by some shipwrecked sailors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 crude
Enable responsible local crude oil production, reducing our reliance on highly emitting imports and supporting California jobs.
—
Jeffrey Ball, Oc Register, 23 Aug. 2025
As crude oil inventories begin to build around the world, oil prices should fall.
—Matt Randolph, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
The other measures the company is proposing include improvements to its fluidized catalytic-cracking units, which help turn crude oil into gasoline, and installing carbon monoxide analyzers to ensure equipment is running efficiently.
—Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 16 Aug. 2025
The crude oil leak from a train that derailed in Dodge County on Aug. 15 has been contained, officials said.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crude
Jeffrey Ball, Oc Register, 23 Aug. 2025
As crude oil inventories begin to build around the world, oil prices should fall.
—Matt Randolph, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
The other measures the company is proposing include improvements to its fluidized catalytic-cracking units, which help turn crude oil into gasoline, and installing carbon monoxide analyzers to ensure equipment is running efficiently.
—Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 16 Aug. 2025
The crude oil leak from a train that derailed in Dodge County on Aug. 15 has been contained, officials said.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crude
Adjective
-
The reports involved Vibrio vulnificus bacteria, which is found in saltwater and brackish water as well as raw or undercooked seafood.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
30 Aug. 2025
-
Between 1906 and 1930, Notari created more than 60 feature films that blended melodrama with raw depictions of Naples’ street life.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Houde said these mammoth animals are a primitive group of proboscideans ('elephantoids') from which modern elephants evolved.—
Joseph J. Kolb,
Fox News,
18 July 2017
-
Many are primitive and remote, and don’t have restrooms or water.—
OregonLive.com,
OregonLive.com,
12 July 2017
Adjective
-
As deadly wildfires raged across Southern California in January, a Los Angeles city official lamented to the city council and others how they were forced to listen to hateful, vulgar language from some members of the public.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Her choice to respond by telling me to 'shut the f*** up' and to 'calm my p*****' was vulgar, dismissive and escalated the issue entirely.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Liverpool fans know how hurtful crass chants can be.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
-
The tone has been combative, crass, and what’s been defended as fighting fire with fire.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
This is a huge bonus for a clumsy gal like myself, who often trips over air.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
People.com,
14 Aug. 2025
-
The scale of the problem became terrifyingly clear during the Covid-19 pandemic, as the Japanese government struggled to respond to a nationwide crisis with clumsy digital tools.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
9 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Each company prioritized product development over promotional strategy, with celebrity endorsement becoming the natural outcome.—
Lilian Raji,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
-
The step-up design is perfect for creating some visual interest and the sleek black hardware brings a modern feel to the natural wood grain.—
Erika Owen,
Architectural Digest,
25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Those humans who were good at it, even in its most rudimentary forms, would have a real advantage.—
Elissa Strauss,
The Atlantic,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Stewart then invited a rudimentary, hand puppet version of Elmo to join him on the show.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
15 July 2025
Adjective
-
Part of that obscene number is the Never Say Die Ladies Turf Sprint.—
Danny Brewer,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
-
Brooklyn prosecutors charged him with misdemeanor assault, as well as menacing, reckless endangerment, possession of obscene material, interference with a professional sporting event, weapons possession and other charges, officials said.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Crude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crude. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share