“Thick” does the job — but the right alternative does more. Here are 6 curated replacements, each with a definition, pronunciation, and an example of it working on the page.
Closely compacted in substance, leaving little space between elements.
“The dense fog rolled in off the harbor, swallowing the lighthouse whole.”
Best for: Works well for physical matter, crowds, or atmosphere; slightly elevated everyday use.
Having a large, heavy body with considerable bulk and mass.
“The corpulent tome sat on the shelf, its spine cracked from decades of use.”
Best for: Often applied to bodies or objects with imposing weight; carries a slightly formal or ironic tone.
Having a thick, sticky consistency that resists flow.
“The viscous amber poured from the jar in one slow, reluctant ribbon.”
Best for: Best for liquids or semi-liquids; precise and evocative in scientific or culinary writing.
Strongly and heavily built with a muscular, solid frame.
“The burly ironworker barely fit through the narrow doorway of the forge.”
Best for: Punchy and immediate; ideal for describing people or objects with rugged, physical presence.
Solidly built with considerable thickness and sturdy resistance.
“She gripped the stout oak branch and swung herself over the ravine.”
Best for: Versatile and clean; suits objects, bodies, or even courage in slightly old-fashioned prose.
Of coarse, dense thickness, especially in texture or substance.
“The crass weave of the burlap scratched against her wrists as she worked.”
Best for: Rare in its original Latin-rooted sense of physical thickness; striking when used deliberately in literary contexts.
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