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 rooted
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
While Ozama’s Blanco is perfect for elevated mixed drinks, the Añejo and Gran Añejo are great for sipping, with deep notes. —Carley Rojas Ávila, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025 More advanced hikers can follow the Oak Rim Trail into a deep ravine in Rodman, New York's Tug Hill State Forest, or climb switchbacks up to the summit of Tom's Thumb in Scottsdale, Arizona. —Stacey Lastoe, Travel + Leisure, 19 Sep. 2025
Noun
Pour enough of the batter into the prepared baking dish to cover the bottom with a layer about 1/4-inch deep. —Georgeanne Brennan, Mercury News, 5 June 2025 Rick Carlisle routinely stretches his rotation to 11 deep. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 22 May 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. rooted
  8. extensive
Adjective
  • In other marine animals, parasites can have profound effects.
    — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
  • For Watt, the experience of working with his rock heroes was profound.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025
Definition of profound
Adjective
  • Major House personalities head for the door as 2026 rolls around, leaving many wondering how the lower chamber will change with these shifts.
    — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 21 Sep. 2025
  • The defense for Texas has held up its end of the bargain, stopping the run well, allowing one of the lowest rushing yard totals per game in the country.
    — Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
Definition of low
Adjective
  • It’s often said that, in New Orleans’ French Quarter, the dead outnumber the living, that residual energy from the past continues to inhabit the neighborhood’s 300-year-old buildings and mysterious courtyards.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2025
  • When one of his old enemies resurfaces and his daughter is abducted, the movie turns into a game of cat and mouse with car chases aplenty as well as the involvement of militias and mysterious organizations.
    — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of mysterious
Adjective
  • Unfortunately, tenure, even in the best schools, gets rewarded to professors who write articles filled with complex math or esoteric theories in sociology and psychology.
    — Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • While the syntax of esoteric languages may be hard to understand, the actual programming stack is often wonderfully simple.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 4 Sep. 2025
Definition of esoteric
Adjective
  • Leaving out any vital details or stating the requirements in ambiguous ways is going to undermine the result.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Obviously this wasn’t the best call, regardless of the somewhat ambiguous state of Belly and Jeremiah’s relationship at the time.
    — Olivia Petter, Vogue, 16 Sep. 2025
Definition of ambiguous
Adjective
  • This blaze is intense enough that firefighters used water lines to moisten the soil around trees and wrapped their trunks with fire-resistant foil blankets.
    — Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 20 Sep. 2025
  • From time to time, there’s still an intense demand for anything connected to the Fab Four, and countless films, books, and albums have been issued in the decades since the musicians split.
    — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Definition of intense
Adjective
  • Luxurious accommodations include 182 guestrooms, suites and villas are tucked discreetly across 60 acres of mangroves and freshwater canals, balancing seclusion with a strong sense of rooted place.
    — Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • This reflects not just the generic moral disengagement but the fact that currently Democrats and Republicans are having disagreements over things that are very, very deeply rooted and often very difficult to talk about.
    — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
Definition of rooted
Adjective
  • According to her LinkedIn profile, Cleary has an extensive background as an attorney in Virginia.
    — Zach LaChance, The Washington Examiner, 20 Sep. 2025
  • The two also battled it out on Raw in 2010 as part of their extensive feud.
    — Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025
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 22 Sep. 2025.

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