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 lavish resort is a reconstructed Gilded Age hotel well-rehearsed in being discreet.
    Bryan West, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025
  • She and McIlroy got married in 2017 On April 22, 2017, Stoll and McIlroy exchanged vows during a lavish ceremony at Ashford Castle in County Mayo, Ireland.
    Effie Orfanides, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Quench them with a copious deluge of water and stir to guarantee complete cooling.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2025
  • The pressure to catch up on AI may well drive tech firms closer to Hollywood, because AI platforms need copious amounts of content in order to train AI services to deliver human-like conversations with users.
    Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • That's where water ice thought to be abundant in the region could be extracted and used for drinking, breathing and as a source of hydrogen and oxygen for rocket fuel.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
  • These animals, so rarely seen by humans, are actually some of the most abundant on the planet.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Toasts were drunk, although notably with orange juice given President Xi Jinping’s crackdown on excessive official consumption at the sort of functions that were once lubricated with plentiful bai jiu spirit.
    Matthew Tostevin, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
  • What’s more, zinc is plentiful, has a low environmental impact, and contributes to the battery’s high volumetric capacity.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The reports obtained by The Post show a barrage of complaints from youth that staff used excessive force during restraints or other physical management responses at the state’s 14 facilities.
    Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2025
  • With extended heat exposure comes excessive sweat, so drinking plenty of fluids with electrolytes the day before is essential for safe sauna use.
    Essence, Essence, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • After all, most can agree that a lack of crowded aisles plus ample stock on the shelves is ideal for grocery shopping.
    Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Because both the Lions and Packers are playoff contenders and longtime divisional rivals with fan bases that extend beyond their own cities, this year’s Thanksgiving match-up holds ample promise.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Profuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profuse. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on profuse

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