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deep

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noun

1
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

3

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

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 deep
Adjective
By recognizing the people behind the patents and placing their work in the public spotlight, the event invited deeper collaboration with industry and affirmed IP as a living, public-facing asset. Stephen Key, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025 In the House, lawmakers such as Reps. Chip Roy (R-TX) and Andy Harris (R-MD) threatened to hold up the bill unless there were deeper spending cuts. Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 3 June 2025
Noun
In time’s deeps, everything begins to engulf us, red galaxies winking from the end. Julie Swarstad Johnson, Scientific American, 18 Mar. 2025 After inspecting the area, Jumper discovered the sounds came from a dog trapped in a 12-foot-deep well underneath the house. Rachel McRady, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deep
Adjective
  • Strategies For Leaders If deployed wisely, AI could lead to a profound advancement in how public agencies operate and serve their citizens equitably, effectively and sustainably.
    Darshan Tiwari, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
  • Those attacks have profound implications not only for Americans’ health, but on pocketbook issues and the U.S. economy generally.
    Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
Adjective
  • In fact, with one of the lowest average ages in the whole of the Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain this season has become a team known for its young, hardworking and likeable core group of players – Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Barcola and Doué have all garnered plaudits.
    Jamie Barton, CNN Money, 31 May 2025
  • Per Trump’s promise, the proposal leaves Title I (support for schools with low income students) and IDEA (funding for students with special needs) intact.
    Peter Greene, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Adjective
  • Four thousand years ago, however, Crete was also a crossroads dominated by a mysterious and largely still poorly understood Bronze Age culture that predated classical Greece.
    Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
  • The movie is led by Tom Hiddleston as the titular, mysterious Chuck Krantz, with a supporting cast that includes Mark Hamill, Mia Sara, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan, Matthew Lillard, Annalise Basso and Kate Siegel.
    Jen Juneau, People.com, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • Everyone knows Gaudí’s architecture; his furniture is a more esoteric thing.
    Anthony Paletta, Curbed, 20 May 2025
  • His tastes ebbed and flowed between aggressive music and more esoteric tastes, as his collaborators came to range from Richard Thompson to Hal Willner, whose tribute to Federico Fellini and Nino Rota included contributions from Thomas, as did a collection of sea shanties.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Without a clear roadmap, friendship breakups often feel ambiguous, or sometimes lead to unnecessary hurt.
    Charles Trepany, USA Today, 7 June 2025
  • The Food and Drug Administration’s April 22 news release contains some ambiguous language.
    Andrea Ruth, The Washington Examiner, 6 June 2025
Adjective
  • The auto-revive for solo players on Night Lords is to combat the intense difficulties of those fights where a single wrong move can be death.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • And, believe it or not, Europe does have air conditioning, which can be quite an intense shift when moving between the outdoors into coach buses or stores.
    Gregory Robinson, Travel + Leisure, 31 May 2025
Adjective
  • Just as its name implies, this oversized two-story vessel sits moored in the tranquil waters of Montego Bay, serving an extensive menu of mostly seafood dishes, but with a little something for every diner.
    Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2025
  • Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, and Jennifer Lopez are among his extensive list of A-list clientele.
    Claire Sullivan, Footwear News, 3 June 2025
Adjective
  • The expansion San Diego club announced Friday that the fans are prohibited from attending home and away matches.
    Greg Beacham, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
  • Mbappe became only the third Madrid player to score an away hat-trick against Barcelona but could only watch as his team lost 4-3 and squandered any chance of retaining their La Liga title from the previous season.
    Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 28 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Deep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deep. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.

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