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
To the bottom left is the urban sprawl of Milano — the second most populous city in Italy, while historic Verona sits to its right, close to the azure expanse of Lake Garda.
—
Anthony Wood, Space.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Yet the country’s second most-populous city has managed to botch the process of reviewing what went wrong.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 6 Feb. 2026
Hennepin County is Minnesota's most populous county, home to the state's largest jail, which Witt says operates at roughly 85% capacity on most days.
—Jonah Kaplan, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
But doing so would be much more difficult in a high-turnout election in a populous place like Fulton County, where lots of people were voting at the same time.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for populous
Anthony Wood, Space.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Yet the country’s second most-populous city has managed to botch the process of reviewing what went wrong.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 6 Feb. 2026
Hennepin County is Minnesota's most populous county, home to the state's largest jail, which Witt says operates at roughly 85% capacity on most days.
—Jonah Kaplan, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
But doing so would be much more difficult in a high-turnout election in a populous place like Fulton County, where lots of people were voting at the same time.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for populous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for populous
Adjective
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Vying for a parking spot on a crowded city street after a snowstorm has long felt like going to battle, and now there's a harrowing twist.—
Jessica Mekles,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
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But a crowded Democratic field increases the chances that two Republicans and no Democrats make it past the June primary.—
Oren Oppenheim,
ABC News,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Of the other options, Bone Fire takes grilling to another level with unique preparations of excellent cuts of meat and fresh fish, while Marea, which serves lunch and dinner, explores the vibrant flavors of the Caribbean.—
José Cantillo Ferrer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
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Kelly’s emotional two-dimensionality increases our anger on behalf of Pidgeon’s Carolyn, a vibrant professional woman who sees her life and her career toxified by the paparazzi and the press.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Populous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/populous. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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