deepen

verb

deep·​en ˈdē-pən 

deepened; deepening ˈdē-pə-niŋ 

ˈdēp-niŋ

transitive verb

: to make deep or deeper

intransitive verb

: to become deeper or more profound

Synonyms of deepen

• intensify
• enhance
• heighten
• strengthen

Examples of deepen in a Sentence

They deepened the river so that larger boats could sail through.

Age had deepened the lines in his face.

The water deepens toward the center of the river.

Her powerful words deepened our commitment to the cause.

The vacation together deepened their relationship with each other.

The mystery was deepened by her silence.

This class will deepen your understanding of economics.

Living in the country's capital had deepened her knowledge of politics.

Recent Examples on the Web

Finally, deepen expertise in areas such as governance, privacy, cybersecurity, risk or compliance. — Punit Bhatia, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026

By 1926, Caltech was running the Seismo Lab with the Carnegie Institution, where seismologists like Beno Gutenberg and Charles Richter would deepen our understanding of earthquakes. — Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 25 Sep. 2026

In an effort to deepen its relationship with Asia, Chanel has unveiled the latest edition of La Galerie du 19M Shanghai project at the Museum of Art Pudong — a colossal white structure on the Huangpu River. — Denni Hu, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026

Offshore oil discoveries could bankroll her jobs promise, or deepen the sense that Namibia’s wealth flows elsewhere. — Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for deepen

• cheapen
• marzipan

Kids Definition

deepen

verb

deep·​en ˈdē-pən 

deepened; deepening ˈdēp-(ə-)niŋ 

: to make or become deep or deeper