deep 1 of 2

adjective

ˈdēp How to pronounce deep (audio)
Definition of deepnext
1
as in profound
extending far downward lowered their bucket down a deep well the ax made a deep cut into the wood

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2
as in low
having a low musical pitch or range the tour guide had an impressively deep voice

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3
as in mysterious
being beyond one's powers to know, understand, or explain a deep, dark secret that he took to his grave

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4
as in esoteric
difficult for one of ordinary knowledge or intelligence to understand her poetry is now regarded as sentimental and not very deep

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5
as in ambiguous
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning one of those deep passages in the Bible that can be interpreted in any number of different ways

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6
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect fell into a deep sleep after taking the potion

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7
as in inherent
firmly established over time a deep devotion to obtaining justice for all, even society's most disadvantaged

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8
as in extensive
having considerable extent an economist with a deep understanding of the forces that propel the global economy

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9
as in immersed
having the mind fixed on something I was so deep in the mystery novel that I didn't hear the doorbell

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10
as in away
not close in time or space an episode in her deep past that she had never spoken about, even to her husband

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deep

2 of 2

noun

1
as in midst
the most intense or characteristic phase of something the kind of cold weather that we usually have only in the deep of winter

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2
as in sea
the whole body of salt water that covers nearly three-fourths of the earth sailors exploring the farther reaches of the briny deep

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3
as in abyss
an immeasurable depth or space the belief that somewhere in the deep of outer space humankind will meet its ultimate destiny

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word deep different from other adjectives like it?

The words broad and wide are common synonyms of deep. While all three words mean "having horizontal extent," deep may indicate horizontal extent away from the observer or from a front or peripheral point.

a deep cupboard
deep woods

Where would broad be a reasonable alternative to deep?

The meanings of broad and deep largely overlap; however, broad is preferred when full horizontal extent is considered.

broad shoulders

When is it sensible to use wide instead of deep?

In some situations, the words wide and deep are roughly equivalent. However, wide is more common when units of measurement are mentioned, or when applied to unfilled space between limits.

rugs eight feet wide
a wide doorway

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 deep
Adjective
Just across the street from the bus stop … lurks a deep drainage pool at the bottom of a sheer 12-foot drop from the street. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Pits are frequently dug by hand and can reach several meters deep. — ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
Noun
We were also rewarded with fantastic wildlife sightings, like pods of whales 20 and 30 deep. — Aaron Saunders, Travel + Leisure, 29 Apr. 2026 Sosa worked a seven-pitch at-bat before sending a double deep to left. — Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deep
  1. profound
  2. low
  3. mysterious
  4. esoteric
  5. ambiguous
  6. intense
  7. inherent
  8. extensive
Adjective
  • There’s maybe something profound happening onstage, a celebration of — not to get too corny — life itself, between you and the fans.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 23 Aug. 2026
  • But Tanaka’s lab is already considering a much weirder and potentially more profound implication.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of profound
Adjective
  • Structural inflation, fueled by government deficits, AI investments, low unemployment rates, growing trade barriers and energy disruptions, is reshaping the landscape for markets, according to Fidelity International.
    — Justina Lee, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The low-molecular-weight collagen seeps into your skin as an in-office treatment would, reducing the size of pores and lifting saggy, crepey skin.
    — Essence Wiley, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of low
Adjective
  • Although the bars are not related, all three arrived on the scene under purposefully mysterious circumstances.
    — Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Dodson update One of the mysterious developments Thursday was linebacker Dodson leaving the field after individual drills.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of mysterious
Adjective
  • Baseball is a sport that thrives on statistics, no matter how esoteric, but there appears to be no record of a professional baseball player previously wearing a mechanical watch during a game.
    — Anthony DeMarco, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The rereleased games are fascinatingly esoteric, too, including the GBC versions of Croc, Croc 2, Earthworm Jim, and the Japan-only GB shmup, Chikyu Kaiho Gun Zas.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of esoteric
Adjective
  • Prospective tenants are not allowed to tour the place before renting, and residents have long reported dicey roommate situations and ambiguous policies surrounding tenant rights and eviction.
    — Diamy Wang August 15, Charlotte Observer, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The fate of Duke, diagnosed with a life-threatening ascending aortic aneurysm, is ambiguous.
    — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of ambiguous
Adjective
  • Utilities have raised rates to pay for wildfire prevention and recovery as climate change has made the blazes more intense and frequent.
    — Sophie Austin, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Electrolyte beverages can help replenish hydration after an intense workout or stomach bug.
    — Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of intense
Adjective
  • The experience is…less fun, although bad film aficionados know that some level of tedium is inherent to almost all of the most canonical worst movies ever.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026
  • In addition to the sweat-masking technology, Coolmax CloakFX™ fiber comes with the performance properties inherent to Coolmax® fibers, including moisture wicking and breathability.
    — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of inherent
Adjective
  • Police said the home was immediately secured as a crime scene and investigators began the extensive work of documenting the scene, collecting evidence, conducting interviews and pursuing leads.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Customers can upload their own photos, or choose artworks from an extensive online gallery before selecting all of the details, including size, material, matting, and glazing.
    — Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of extensive

Phrases Containing deep

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deems
deep
deepen
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Cite this Entry

“Deep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deep. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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