1
a
: gross sense 2a
especially : having or indicating such grossness of mind as precludes delicacy and discrimination
b
: being beneath one's dignity
crass concerns of daily life
c
used as a pejorative intensifier
crass flattery
crass propaganda
2
: guided by or indicative of base or materialistic values
crass commercialism
crass measures of success
crassly adverb
crassness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for crass

stupid, dull, dense, crass, dumb mean lacking in power to absorb ideas or impressions.

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

dull suggests a slow or sluggish mind such as results from disease, depression, or shock.

monotonous work that leaves the mind dull

dense implies a thickheaded imperviousness to ideas.

too dense to take a hint

crass suggests a grossness of mind precluding discrimination or delicacy.

a crass, materialistic people

dumb applies to an exasperating obtuseness or lack of comprehension.

too dumb to figure out what's going on

Examples of crass in a Sentence

We are urgently in need of progress, but not if it means the kind of crass complacency that ignores the fact that history for most men and women to date has meant misery and fruitless toil … Terry Eagleton, Harper's, March 2005
Minor criticism though it was compared to the rest, the most galling calumny of all as far as Gaius Marius was concerned was the perpetual inference that he was unacceptably crass because he had no Greek. Colleen McCullough, The First Man in Rome, (1990) 1991
He had removed her from that crass monied Middle Atlantic society where she had seemed stilted and fragile. John Updike, Couples, 1968
A few people seemed shocked by her crass comments. a loudmouthed jerk given to rude jokes and crass comments
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Now, the crass buddy comedy is ready to make Disney+ its home this fall — on November 12, to be exact. Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2024 At worst, this is a case of playing crass politics with the country’s energy security. David Blackmon, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024 But given that a photo with no less than four seals of authenticity showed Eastwood reviewing new scripts on October 15, speculation about his retirement seems more like crass (if understandable) back-of-the-napkin mortality math than an accurate description of his intentions. Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 28 Oct. 2024 As is expected during fair week, partygoers gossiped with loose lips and a loud, crass collector did his best to be the center of attention. George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 12 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for crass 

Word History

Etymology

Latin crassus thick, gross

First Known Use

circa 1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of crass was circa 1625

Dictionary Entries Near crass

Cite this Entry

“Crass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crass. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

crass

adjective
: showing no interest in the finer things : insensitive
crassly adverb
crassness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on crass

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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