DEEP Synonyms: 461 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'deep' different from other adjectives like it?

The words broad and wide are common synonyms of deep . While all three words mean "having horizontal extent," deep may indicate horizontal extent away from the observer or from a front or peripheral point. // a deep cupboard // deep woods

Q: Where would 'broad' be a reasonable alternative to 'deep'?

The meanings of broad and deep largely overlap; however, broad is preferred when full horizontal extent is considered. // broad shoulders

Q: When is it sensible to use 'wide' instead of 'deep'?

In some situations, the words wide and deep are roughly equivalent. However, wide is more common when units of measurement are mentioned, or when applied to unfilled space between limits. // rugs eight feet wide // a wide doorway

deep 1 of 2

adjective

ˈdēp

Definition of deep next

as in profound

extending far downward lowered their bucket down a deep well the ax made a deep cut into the wood

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Relevance

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as in low

having a low musical pitch or range the tour guide had an impressively deep voice

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as in mysterious

being beyond one's powers to know, understand, or explain a deep, dark secret that he took to his grave

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as in esoteric

difficult for one of ordinary knowledge or intelligence to understand her poetry is now regarded as sentimental and not very deep

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as in ambiguous

having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning one of those deep passages in the Bible that can be interpreted in any number of different ways

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as in intense

extreme in degree, power, or effect fell into a deep sleep after taking the potion

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as in rooted

firmly established over time a deep devotion to obtaining justice for all, even society's most disadvantaged

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as in extensive

having considerable extent an economist with a deep understanding of the forces that propel the global economy

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as in immersed

having the mind fixed on something I was so deep in the mystery novel that I didn't hear the doorbell

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as in away

not close in time or space an episode in her deep past that she had never spoken about, even to her husband

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deep

2 of 2

noun

as in midst

the most intense or characteristic phase of something the kind of cold weather that we usually have only in the deep of winter

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as in sea

the whole body of salt water that covers nearly three-fourths of the earth sailors exploring the farther reaches of the briny deep

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as in abyss

an immeasurable depth or space the belief that somewhere in the deep of outer space humankind will meet its ultimate destiny

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word deep different from other adjectives like it?

The words broad and wide are common synonyms of deep. While all three words mean "having horizontal extent," deep may indicate horizontal extent away from the observer or from a front or peripheral point.

a deep cupboard

deep woods

Where would broad be a reasonable alternative to deep?

The meanings of broad and deep largely overlap; however, broad is preferred when full horizontal extent is considered.

broad shoulders

When is it sensible to use wide instead of deep?

In some situations, the words wide and deep are roughly equivalent. However, wide is more common when units of measurement are mentioned, or when applied to unfilled space between limits.

rugs eight feet wide

a wide doorway

Examples of deep in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Senior Democratic lawmakers are trapped between their deep distrust of Donald Trump and their vigorous denunciations of any election challenges in the years since the Jan. 6 attack. —

Justin Green, Axios, 11 Oct. 2024 The smell of salt air instantly soothes my soul, the crash of rocking waves lulls me into a dreamlike trance, and the dazzling, endless blue waters take away all of my anxieties one deep breath at a time. —

Vanessa Wilkins, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2024

Noun

The three channels that remain open are 20-, 14- and 11-foot deep, according to the port. —

Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 29 Apr. 2024 The default has always been Hawaii: Its eight principal islands rising from the Pacific’s deep are verdant and vibrant. —

Andrew Nelson, USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for deep

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deep.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.