PROFILE Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'profile' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of profile are contour , outline , and silhouette . While all these words mean "the line that bounds and gives form to something," profile suggests a varied and sharply defined outline against a lighter background. // a portrait of her face in profile

Q: Where would 'contour' be a reasonable alternative to 'profile'?

The synonyms contour and profile are sometimes interchangeable, but contour stresses the quality of an outline or a bounding surface as being smooth, jagged, curving, or sharply angled. // a car with flowing contours

Q: When might 'outline' be a better fit than 'profile'?

While the synonyms outline and profile are close in meaning, outline applies to a line marking the outer limits or edges of a body or mass. // traced the outline of his hand

Q: When could 'silhouette' be used to replace 'profile'?

In some situations, the words silhouette and profile are roughly equivalent. However, silhouette suggests a shape especially of a head or figure with all detail blacked out in shadow leaving only the outline clearly defined. // photograph in silhouette against a bright sky

profile 1 of 2

noun

Definition of profile

as in contour

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Dissimilar Words

as in character sketch

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profile

2 of 2

verb

as in to outline

to produce a representation of the shape of the head as seen from the side his likeness was profiled against a background of vegetation

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun profile differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of profile are contour, outline, and silhouette. While all these words mean "the line that bounds and gives form to something," profile suggests a varied and sharply defined outline against a lighter background.

a portrait of her face in profile

Where would contour be a reasonable alternative to profile?

The synonyms contour and profile are sometimes interchangeable, but contour stresses the quality of an outline or a bounding surface as being smooth, jagged, curving, or sharply angled.

a car with flowing contours

When might outline be a better fit than profile?

While the synonyms outline and profile are close in meaning, outline applies to a line marking the outer limits or edges of a body or mass.

traced the outline of his hand

When could silhouette be used to replace profile?

In some situations, the words silhouette and profile are roughly equivalent. However, silhouette suggests a shape especially of a head or figure with all detail blacked out in shadow leaving only the outline clearly defined.

photograph in silhouette against a bright sky

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 profile

Noun

Decide which platform will house the most complete customer profile and configure your integrations to keep it automatically updated. — Serenity Gibbons, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026 His desire to keep a low profile served him well when times were good but created a void in times of crisis. — Austin Meek, New York Times, 21 July 2026

Verb

Both profile well for the new philosophies implemented at the plate and on the mound. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 17 July 2026 Two sections profiling famous designers highlight this ingenuity. — Douglas Markowitz, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for profile

Recent Examples of Synonyms for profile

Noun

Her brand’s Le Skin Weightless Serum Foundation is so lightweight and breathable because it’s supposed to be used on top of that contour and highlight to create a seamlessly blended yet snatched look.

— Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 26 July 2026
That shape, whose contour resembles both an indecipherable ideogram and a flat asymmetrical spaceship, shows Parsons’s inventive side.

— John Yau, ARTnews.com, 24 July 2026

Definition of contour

Verb

The article outlines specific ChatGPT prompts for finding profitable ventures, structuring pricing for a $1,000 monthly goal, and creating a 30-day plan for success.

— Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
At which point, the state had to submit a spending plan outlining how the funds were to be distributed.

— Susanne Rust Follow, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026

Definition of outline

Noun

An unforeseen opportunity Loftin entered spring training in great shape.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
The Hudson Satchel from Quince is nearly identical to Lawrence’s—right down to the shape of the side buckles—but priced at under $200—which is far less expensive than the star’s likely designer style.

— Kaitlin Gates, Travel + Leisure, 29 July 2026

Definition of shape

Noun

Shaban was an entrepreneur who owned several businesses, with holdings in real estate, construction, insurance and auto sales, according to the obituary.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026
In an online obituary posted after her death, Ludimila was remembered as a beloved friend and hardworking student.

— Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026

Definition of obituary

Verb

Humans have never stopped trying to picture what a truly intelligent mind actually looks like.

— Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
The couple were pictured hanging out with Matt’s longtime friend, Ben Affleck, as well as Bruce Willis and his daughter, Rumer Willis, in this undated shot from the early aughts.

— Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026

Definition of picture

Noun

Evander is also the fifth-fastest player to reach 100 regular-season goal contributions in MLS history — doing so in just 104 games.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
His home county Drago has a history of resistance that’s been met with police crackdowns and enhanced surveillance, researchers say – particularlyafter the county emerged as a hub of protest in the 2008 Tibetan demonstrations.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of history

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proficients

profile

profiled

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“Profile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profile. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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