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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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

The former child star has been working as a licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP) since 2017, according to her Expressable profile. — Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 2026 The talent is there in the collegiate profile and former draft capital, and despite the past injuries, Miller looked good in this preseason game. — Ben Gretch, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Verb

Along with profiling the life of Oliver, who died in 2019, the film features poetry recitations by Oprah Winfrey, Stephen Colbert, Steve Buscemi and others. — ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026 The book profiles government officials who cooperated across party lines. — Emily Staunton, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for profile

Recent Examples of Synonyms for profile

Noun

Three layers of foam contour to your body and help take pressure off areas that need it most.

— Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
Despite this, black jackets and hair in the party scenes look properly dark while still showing their cuts and contours, and white shirts, lights, and balloons in the same shots all look bright while similarly preserving details.

— Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of contour

Noun

Researchers spent decades trying to target a group of mutations called RAS — responsible for nearly a third of all human cancers — but the protein’s flat shape defied typical drugs.

— Tasneem Nashrulla, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026
And the collectors are looking for independent thinking, independent viewpoints, different designs, different shapes, different ideas.

— Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of shape

Noun

During his career, Martin served as the chairman of several organizations, including the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Lexington Chamber of Commerce, United Way and the Governor's Scholar Foundation, according to an obituary.

— Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 30 Aug. 2026
Suddenly, the obituaries of the last few months are turning into rebound stories, but both of these narratives obscure what’s really going on.

— Peter Mintzberg, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of obituary

Verb

Sound’s Round 2 Impresario-musician Mike Reed’s multigenre, multivenue festival, Sound & Gravity, returns for its second year with acts like Son Lux (pictured, above) and Chicago’s Jessica Risker.

— Web Behrens, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
The person seen dropping off the Acura was pictured only in grainy video and appeared to be wearing a shirt without sleeves.

— Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of picture

Noun

Such components can benefit from additive manufacturing because the technology lets engineers create geometries that would be difficult or impossible to produce with traditional manufacturing methods.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
His research focus is the geometry of the early universe, the physics of fine-tuning and quantum gravity.

— Big Think, Big Think, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of geometry

Noun

This week, the Indiana Fever point guard became the first player in WNBA history with consecutive games of 30 points and 10 assists.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 29 Aug. 2026
As crowds gathered and the idea caught fire, Hard Rock began taking its particular mix of burgers, band tees, and music history around the world, eventually opening its first Asian cafe in Tokyo in 1983.

— Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of history

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proficients

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“Profile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profile. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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