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

Now with his advancing nuclear program and deepened ties with Russia and China, experts say Kim has greater leverage than before. — ABC News, 6 Sep. 2026

Rather than directly monetizing the platform, Nvidia can deepen developer loyalty, make its hardware and software a natural choice for deploying AI models, and keep a strategic asset out of competitors' hands. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 5 Sep. 2026

And suppose, additionally, that Haidt is also right, and that—for many kids—smartphones are deepening these problems and adding new ones. — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026

Experts warn that the consequences could continue to deepen — particularly in countries in Africa and Asia, which rely more heavily on imports from the Middle East and have already been hit the hardest by energy shocks over the course of the war. — Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Fortune, 4 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