Synonyms of profuse

profuse

adjective

prə-ˈfyüs 

as in lavish

pouring forth in great amounts

we received profuse thanks for our efforts

a profuse rush of water from the collapsing dike

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lavish
• copious
• abundant
• plentiful
• excessive
• ample
• riotous
• bountiful
• gushing
• liberal
• complete
• plenteous
• sufficient
• bounteous
• galore
• extravagant
• enough
• luxuriant
• adequate
• fertile
• fecund
• munificent
• abounding
• unstinting
• immoderate
• free
• unsparing
• redundant
• openhanded
• fat

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• scanty
• poor
• sparse
• meager
• scant
• inadequate
• insufficient
• spare
• scarce
• incomplete
• trickling
• lacking
• unsatisfactory
• deficient
• dribbling
• meagre
• minimal
• mere
• wanting
• stingy
• niggardly
• bare

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

Recent Examples of profuse

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

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

Common symptoms include unexplained rapid weight loss, profuse coughing, night sweats and fever. —USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2020

Inconveniently, though, profuse eruptions of lava began to flood the basin beginning roughly 3.6 billion years ago, forming a wide volcanic sea—also known as Mare Crisium, or the Sea of Crises—that covered up much of the original impact melt. —Robin George Andrews, National Geographic, 13 Dec. 2019