DENSE Synonyms: 196 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'dense' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of dense are crass , dull , dumb , and stupid . While all these words mean "lacking in power to absorb ideas or impressions," dense implies a thickheaded imperviousness to ideas. // too dense to take a hint

Q: When can 'crass' be used instead of 'dense'?

The words crass and dense can be used in similar contexts, but crass suggests a grossness of mind precluding discrimination or delicacy. // a crass , materialistic people

Q: When might 'dull' be a better fit than 'dense'?

While the synonyms dull and dense 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

Q: When would 'dumb' be a good substitute for 'dense'?

The meanings of dumb and dense largely overlap; however, dumb applies to an exasperating obtuseness or lack of comprehension. // too dumb to figure out what's going on

Q: When is it sensible to use 'stupid' instead of 'dense'?

The words stupid and dense 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

dense

adjective

ˈden(t)s

Definition of dense next

as in crowded

having little space between items or parts the dense soil in the garden

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in thick

not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily she accused him of being dense when he didn't seem to understand her at first

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective dense contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of dense are crass, dull, dumb, and stupid. While all these words mean "lacking in power to absorb ideas or impressions," dense implies a thickheaded imperviousness to ideas.

too dense to take a hint

When can crass be used instead of dense?

The words crass and dense can be used in similar contexts, but crass suggests a grossness of mind precluding discrimination or delicacy.

a crass, materialistic people

When might dull be a better fit than dense?

While the synonyms dull and dense 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 dense?

The meanings of dumb and dense largely overlap; however, dumb applies to an exasperating obtuseness or lack of comprehension.

too dumb to figure out what's going on

When is it sensible to use stupid instead of dense?

The words stupid and dense 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 dense User contributions are important because Palestinian officials regularly adjust street regulations to keep traffic flowing on the windy and narrow roads that run through dense urban neighborhoods in the West Bank. —

Paresh Dave, WIRED, 23 Dec. 2024 Players must stack wooden telegraph poles on top of each other, simulating dense Japanese towns, with placement in different zones of the board determined by a dice throw. —

James Palmer, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Dec. 2024 Photo : Will Myers The swimming pool is positioned below the house, where it’s surrounded by dense greenery. —

Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 13 Dec. 2024 Parts of the dense, equatorial mainland, as well as the islands that lay off the shore of the nascent capital, Cayenne, would be turned into labor camps and prisons for the most serious criminal offenders in mainland France. —

Rob Crossan, JSTOR Daily, 13 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dense

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dense

Adjective

Wearing a mask, especially in crowded indoor areas, can help minimize transmission of not just SARS-CoV-2, but all respiratory viruses.

Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 18 Dec. 2024
Founded by coffee enthusiast and marketing expert David Boucher, Escape Cafe stands out in the crowded specialty coffee niche, offering customers the highest quality beans and blends roasted just right every time.

Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024