as in crowded
formal
having a large population
a populous seaport the most populous state in the U.S.
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Recent Examples of populous
Given that each state, regardless of its population, starts out with two Electoral College votes (for its senators), the system skews power toward less populous states.
—
Matthew Carey, Deadline, 17 Dec. 2024
With Texas being one of the most populous U.S. states, the prospect of colder than usual temperatures would be unwelcome news for many.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
California, the most populous state in the U.S., continued to have the nation's largest homeless population, followed by New York, Washington, Florida and Massachusetts.
—Michael Casey The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 28 Dec. 2024
This would include metropolitan Melbourne, Australia's second-most populous city.
—Rebecca Falconer, Axios, 25 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for populous 
Matthew Carey, Deadline, 17 Dec. 2024
With Texas being one of the most populous U.S. states, the prospect of colder than usual temperatures would be unwelcome news for many.
—George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024
California, the most populous state in the U.S., continued to have the nation's largest homeless population, followed by New York, Washington, Florida and Massachusetts.
—Michael Casey The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 28 Dec. 2024
This would include metropolitan Melbourne, Australia's second-most populous city.
—Rebecca Falconer, Axios, 25 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for populous
Thesaurus Entries Near populous
Cite this Entry
“Populous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/populous. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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