Synonym Chooser

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 The flowers were so profuse they could be seen from space. The Editors, Town & Country, 19 Feb. 2021 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
  • The science, literature and economics prizes are presented to the laureates by the Swedish king at a ceremony in Stockholm on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel's death, followed by a lavish banquet at city hall.
    USA Today, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Liz and Dick fell in love on the set of Cleopatra, the ridiculously expensive and lavish epic love story of the ancient Egyptian queen and the Roman general Mark Antony.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • But the researchers said stumbling upon the copious number of artifacts entangled in the historical nests took them by surprise.
    Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Solving the center riddle, whether via in-season trade or the copious offseason cap space, is by far the biggest obstacle if the Bulls aspire to anything beyond Play-In qualification in 2026-27.
    John Hollinger, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The five elements still exempt from China’s controls are largely light rare earths, which are more abundant, easier to mine and refine, and less strategically constrained than their heavier counterparts.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025
  • With the global population expected to peak this century before heading into decline, the arrival of robots might allow the world economy to continue growing even as human labor becomes less abundant.
    Billy Perrigo, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Here, panoramic mountain and valley views are plentiful.
    Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Its instructions are vague, its arguments belabored and its absurdist fables too plentiful.
    Book Marks October 2, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • On Sunday, a 15% chance of flash flooding from excessive rainfall exists along the coast from Ocean City, Maryland to Cape Cod.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025
  • The problem arises when excessive dust, dirt, and hair accumulate around the coils, preventing them from performing their job adequately.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • However, the designers removed the local locker feature as of July 1, 2025, giving customers ample time to remove their files from those lockers.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Choose an indoor location that gets ample light, such as a south-facing window.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Profuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profuse. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on profuse

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