deep 1 of 2

adjective

ˈdēp How to pronounce deep (audio)
Definition of deepnext
1
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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2
as in low
having a low musical pitch or range the tour guide had an impressively deep voice

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3
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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4
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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5
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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6
as in intense
extreme in degree, power, or effect fell into a deep sleep after taking the potion

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7
as in inherent
firmly established over time a deep devotion to obtaining justice for all, even society's most disadvantaged

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8
as in extensive
having considerable extent an economist with a deep understanding of the forces that propel the global economy

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9
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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10
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

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

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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

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3
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

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
Her top rules are to swap conditioner for a deep mask every wash, keep hair moisturized at night when dryness can worsen breakage, and use oils or leave-ins to protect your hair’s ends. —Essence, 29 Jan. 2026 This marks the beginning of a deeper reflection on what (and who) truly feels like home. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
In August, court records were mistakenly discarded, leading the clerk's office to wade ankle-deep through a landfill to retrieve them. —CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025 The spooky season might not be celebrated in the ocean, but a creature that lives in La Jolla waters somehow manages to bring costumes, coffins and skeletons to the briny deep. —Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deep
  1. profound
  2. low
  3. mysterious
  4. esoteric
  5. ambiguous
  6. intense
  7. inherent
  8. extensive
Adjective
  • Its simplicity was profound, and clearly the result of hours of labor and design.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
  • When censorship finally began to ease in the 1990s, Korean filmmakers emerged with a profound understanding of cinematic storytelling.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Definition of profound
Adjective
  • Previously, just one satellite in the program had reached low Earth orbit — NEONSAT-1, which flew atop an Electron in April 2024.
    — Mike Wall, Space.com, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Rieder is believed to prefer lower interest rates, a top priority for a president who wants massive rate cuts.
    — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026
Definition of low
Adjective
  • The other is a smaller, more mysterious handheld chunk of willow or poplar wood that may have been used to shape stone tools, according to research published Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
    — Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
  • But when a mysterious woman opens The Grand Lisbon restaurant, his glittering world begins to fracture, exposing the fragile balance between success, memory, and longing.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2026
Definition of mysterious
Adjective
  • The news flew mostly under the radar, in part because of the esoteric nature of the OCC.
    — Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 12 Jan. 2026
  • Still, their esoteric acid rock was revered and adored by their huge and loyal fanbase, known as Deadheads.
    — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Jan. 2026
Definition of esoteric
Adjective
  • Sheinbaum has been incredibly vague about where her country stood, and this week has given roundabout and ambiguous answers to inquiries about the shipments, and dodged reporters questions in her morning press briefings.
    — Michelle L. Price, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Sheinbaum has been incredibly vague about where her country stood, and this week has given roundabout and ambiguous answers to inquiries about the shipments, and dodged reporters' questions in her morning press briefings.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
Definition of ambiguous
Adjective
  • This period of intense study laid the groundwork for what would later become known as the Korean New Wave.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Shares fell during his time in government but rebounded sharply in December, reaching a record high amid intense market interest in AI.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 29 Jan. 2026
Definition of intense
Adjective
  • The risks inherent in the LBO structure are exacerbated by the amount of debt PSKY must incur, its current financial position and future prospects, as well as the lengthy period to close the transaction – which PSKY itself estimates to be 12-18 months following signing.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Seen through this lens, every person possesses inherent dignity and value.
    — James O. Cunningham, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
Definition of inherent
Adjective
  • China for decades has cultivated an extensive network of ties across Latin America and the Caribbean, a region that encompasses more than 30 countries and 670 million people.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026
  • For an extensive listing of my well-over one hundred analyses and postings, see the link here and the link here.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Definition of extensive

Phrases Containing deep

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deems
deep
deepen
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Cite this Entry

“Deep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deep. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on deep

Nglish: Translation of deep for Spanish Speakers

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