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 world’s most populous country — and the third largest aviation market — is on a major infrastructure building kick.
—
Aishwarya S Iyer, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
Even so, the fact that Illinois — the flagship university in the nation's sixth most populous state and a school with an enrollment of nearly 60,000 — feels most like this year's out-of-nowhere underdog speaks more about the current state of college hoops than the Illini themselves.
—CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Even so, the fact that Illinois — the flagship university in the nation’s sixth most populous state and a school with an enrollment of nearly 60,000 — feels most like this year's out-of-nowhere underdog speaks more about the current state of college hoops than the Illini themselves.
—ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026
The state’s 10 most populous counties all saw varying drops in foreign migration in 2025 compared to the previous year, some more dramatic than others.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for populous
Aishwarya S Iyer, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
Even so, the fact that Illinois — the flagship university in the nation's sixth most populous state and a school with an enrollment of nearly 60,000 — feels most like this year's out-of-nowhere underdog speaks more about the current state of college hoops than the Illini themselves.
—CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Even so, the fact that Illinois — the flagship university in the nation’s sixth most populous state and a school with an enrollment of nearly 60,000 — feels most like this year's out-of-nowhere underdog speaks more about the current state of college hoops than the Illini themselves.
—ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026
The state’s 10 most populous counties all saw varying drops in foreign migration in 2025 compared to the previous year, some more dramatic than others.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for populous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for populous
Adjective
-
The five lines, explained An Ichimoku cloud chart can look crowded.—
Karl Montevirgen,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
San Jose holds the second wild-card spot in the crowded Western Conference, with Nashville and Los Angeles even in points but each with one more game.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The vibrant Sun in your 5th House of Artistry squares merry Jupiter in your 8th House of Trust, raising questions about fairness in money and sharing.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
-
From subtle variations to vibrant color combinations, there's a chrome pink nail design for every aesthetic.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Populous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/populous. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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