PROFUSE Synonyms: 51 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'profuse' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of profuse are exuberant , lavish , lush , luxuriant , and prodigal . While all these words mean "giving or given out in great abundance," profuse implies pouring forth without restraint. // profuse apologies

Q: In what contexts can 'exuberant' take the place of 'profuse'?

The synonyms exuberant and profuse are sometimes interchangeable, but exuberant implies marked vitality or vigor in what produces abundantly. // an exuberant imagination

Q: Where would 'lavish' be a reasonable alternative to 'profuse'?

While in some cases nearly identical to profuse , lavish suggests an unstinted or unmeasured profusion. // a lavish party

Q: When is 'lush' a more appropriate choice than 'profuse'?

In some situations, the words lush and profuse are roughly equivalent. However, lush suggests rich, soft luxuriance. // a lush green lawn

Q: When could 'luxuriant' be used to replace 'profuse'?

While the synonyms luxuriant and profuse are close in meaning, luxuriant suggests a rich and splendid abundance. // a luxuriant beard

Q: When would 'prodigal' be a good substitute for 'profuse'?

The words prodigal and profuse are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, prodigal implies reckless or wasteful lavishness threatening to lead to early exhaustion of resources. // prodigal spending

profuse

adjective

prə-ˈfyüs

Definition of profuse

as in lavish

pouring forth in great amounts we received profuse thanks for our efforts a profuse rush of water from the collapsing dike

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How is the word profuse distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of profuse are exuberant, lavish, lush, luxuriant, and prodigal. While all these words mean "giving or given out in great abundance," profuse implies pouring forth without restraint.

profuse apologies

In what contexts can exuberant take the place of profuse?

The synonyms exuberant and profuse are sometimes interchangeable, but exuberant implies marked vitality or vigor in what produces abundantly.

an exuberant imagination

Where would lavish be a reasonable alternative to profuse?

While in some cases nearly identical to profuse, lavish suggests an unstinted or unmeasured profusion.

a lavish party

When is lush a more appropriate choice than profuse?

In some situations, the words lush and profuse are roughly equivalent. However, lush suggests rich, soft luxuriance.

a lush green lawn

When could luxuriant be used to replace profuse?

While the synonyms luxuriant and profuse are close in meaning, luxuriant suggests a rich and splendid abundance.

a luxuriant beard

When would prodigal be a good substitute for profuse?

The words prodigal and profuse are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, prodigal implies reckless or wasteful lavishness threatening to lead to early exhaustion of resources.

prodigal spending

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 profuse Snow Cone is unlike others, smothered in small but profuse white blooms. — Adrian Higgins, Washington Post, 27 May 2021 Spatter cones, which are volcanic mounds built up on top of a vent or fissure emitting profuse amounts of lava, were confirmed to be vulnerable to collapse, suggesting they could be targeted in the future. — Robin George Andrews, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2020 Common symptoms include unexplained rapid weight loss, profuse coughing, night sweats and fever. — USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2020 Material transformation is fundamental to ceramics, but what Yasunaga does with clay, glaze, ash and glass is radically inventive as well as profuse in metaphorical resonance. — Leah Ollman, latimes.com, 5 July 2019 See All Example Sentences for profuse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for profuse

Adjective

Both brothers have grown their following of mainly young men by building a lavish, hyper-macho image of driving fast cars and dating beautiful women.

— Reuters, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
The respectable but not outsized viewership was coupled with the high cost for the lavish production, which filmed both color and black & white versions.

— Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of lavish

Adjective

Between copious hits from a vape, relaxing in his home office in rural Pennsylvania, McNeil talks about the strange process of writing about his own punk rock life for a change.

— Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
The market has already shown a voracious appetite for companies demonstrating copious free cash flows at a time when it's become scarce.

— Michael Santoli, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of copious

Adjective

Sodium is considerably more abundant and widely distributed than lithium, potentially giving sodium-ion batteries an advantage in resource availability.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 2026
When something becomes abundant, its individual value declines.

— Nick Leighton, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of abundant

Adjective

Despite this modest tourism boom, the town retains plentiful architectural evidence of its history as a turn-of-the-century manufacturing hub, with an abundance of red-brick and steel edifices lining its streets.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Sep. 2026
Buildings drip with embellishments; monuments to the city’s writers, artists and musicians seem to be on every corner, and the public transit system and plentiful taxis made for a fun and easy whistle-stop tour of some of Budapest’s main sites.

— Lucy Handley, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of plentiful

Adjective

There has been some discussion about whether tripling up on Chelsea in attack is excessive or puts too many eggs in one basket.

— Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
That includes the power outage shutting down cell phone networks and Sunburn deliberately not being preachy about the often-talked about mental health risks for young people from excessive technology use.

— Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of excessive

Adjective

Thanks to the single-floor layout of the tiny house, this has ample headroom to stand upright and contains a double bed and some storage.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Sep. 2026
This five-bedroom Italianate house makes for an elegant home base for fall gatherings with friends, with ample room to spread out.

— Madeline Weinfield, Vogue, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of ample

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profundity

profuse

profusion

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“Profuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profuse. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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