dense

adjective

ˈden(t)s How to pronounce dense (audio)
Definition of densenext
1
as in crowded
having little space between items or parts the dense soil in the garden

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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

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 dense In extremely dense fog where visibility is near zero, the best course of action is to first turn on your hazard lights, then simply pull into a safe location such as a parking lot of a local business, and stop. —Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 Apr. 2025 The goal of a windbreak is not to block out all the wind by planting in a dense, linear way. —Pamela Noensie, Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2025 The guys play too many matches and Didier can be a bit dense -- like denying a request for a couple weeks off to move to another country. —Tom Williams, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025 This hot, dense state of matter consisting of the innermost building blocks of protons and neutrons, is believed to have filled the universe nearly 14 billion years ago, just microseconds after the Big Bang. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dense
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dense
  1. crowded
  2. thick
  3. packed
  4. slow
  5. tight
  6. stupid
  7. compact
  8. dumb
Adjective
  • In that crowded class of prospects, each star had his own identity.
    — D. Watkins, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025
  • As tensions threaten to turn to violence in the crowded train car, the officer arrives.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of crowded
Adjective
  • Twangy bass lines thick enough to saw down a redwood tree are shredded with shivers of electric guitar to create a blues sound that cuts a hole straight through the decades.
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025
  • This beautiful Easter garland, on sale for $79.99 at Wayfair, is opulent and thick with twigs and pastel eggs that run throughout.
    — Nora Colomer, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of thick
Adjective
  • Lock-in bonus bets for a packed sports schedule or start with a large wager.
    — Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
  • While an older kid might have drama club or sports practice right after school, younger kids may not be able to handle such a packed day, and that’s okay.
    — Liz Regalia, Parents, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of packed
Adjective
  • Samsung is neck and neck with Google, but its updates are often slower and more limited on older phones.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The slowest builder finished before the one who overslept.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of slow
Adjective
  • Traction alopecia Anything that involves repeatedly pulling your hair into a tight style should be avoided.
    — Shannon Lawlor, Glamour, 14 Apr. 2025
  • There’s no tighter part of the property for patrons than Amen Corner, tens of thousands pressed together to watch as McIlroy’s ball flew through the air once, then twice.
    — Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of tight
Adjective
  • Friendships built on insecurity, where men constantly have to prove their manhood, are a breeding ground for toxic attitudes and stupid decision-making.
    — Terry Ward, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Also, his team told him over the radio, basically, don’t do anything stupid, Nato is going to be penalized for not using all his Attack Mode.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2025
Definition of stupid
Adjective
  • Its compact size makes installation a breeze, and its wireless design ensures you won’t get tangled in wires.
    — Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
  • This style can fold up into a compact, carry-on-friendly size that won’t add bulk to your bag like most jackets.
    — Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2025
Definition of compact
Adjective
  • Ratajkowski has been fighting the stereotype of the dumb model from the beginning of her career.
    — Daniel Jackson, Allure, 18 July 2017
  • Ninety nine percent of all NFL players are explicitly not dumb.
    — Andy Benoit, The MMQB, 10 July 2017
Definition of dumb

Browse Nearby Words

dens
dense
denseness
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Cite this Entry

“Dense.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dense. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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