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
The least populous state in the union, Wyoming with a little more than half a million people, has three votes (two for two senators, one for one member of Congress) — as do other tiny states like Vermont, Alaska and the Dakotas.
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New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2025
There certainly were questions about what the state of Louisiana had — or hadn’t — done to protect its most populous city from such a disaster, as well as the response afterward.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025
After London, Birmingham is the most populous city in the UK.
—Hannah Ryan, CNN, 23 Jan. 2025
Texas Texas, being one of the most populous states in America, sends out many rounds of SNAP payments this week.
—Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for populous 
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2025
There certainly were questions about what the state of Louisiana had — or hadn’t — done to protect its most populous city from such a disaster, as well as the response afterward.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025
After London, Birmingham is the most populous city in the UK.
—Hannah Ryan, CNN, 23 Jan. 2025
Texas Texas, being one of the most populous states in America, sends out many rounds of SNAP payments this week.
—Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
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 10 Feb. 2025.
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