profile 1 of 2

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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profile

2 of 2

noun

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
Verb
Balance with a pinch of ground black pepper for a similar flavor profile in savory dishes. Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025 One exception was a glowing profile in Sports Illustrated’s 1986 Sportsman of the Year issue. Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Noun
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Neighborhood Dispatch will profile several local Latino community members whose stories, art, entrepreneurship, leadership and daily lives shape and enrich Milwaukee’s south side and beyond. Alyssa N. Salcedo, jsonline.com, 15 Oct. 2025 In 1977, Rolling Stone profiled Keaton as her star was ascendant. Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for profile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for profile
Verb
  • The level of investment outlined in the agreement shows how serious the two nations are about addressing the problem.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
  • In an exclusive interview at Nike’s Beaverton, Oregon, headquarters, Hill outlined a strategy that hinges on innovation, sport, and rebuilding trust with consumers after years of slowing growth and mounting competition.
    Merritt Enright, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • His skin is ivory white, inspired by the alabaster statues carved by Old Masters, with joining wounds that mimic flattering contour-lines.
    Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Both Del Rey and Grant kept their bases even-toned, with minimal blush and contour.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • That the topless king was pictured beside his married lover, Wallis Simpson, only added to the growing scandal.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 23 Oct. 2025
  • What epic tales might try to picture the explosion of the supervolcano in the Rocky Mountains and the gigantic crater lake of bubbling acid that eons ago swallowed places called Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming?
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • To combat this, a 4-2-3-1 can be morphed into multiple defensive shapes depending on the head coach’s preference.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Plenty of Mustangs over the years have bolstered that shape with big wings on the rear, but none have received the kind of aerodynamic augmentation seen on the GTD.
    Tim Stevens, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Nunez is survived by three daughters who also live in Baxley, three brothers, nine grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild, according to her obituary.
    Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2025
  • According to her obituary, after high school, Rachel earned her bachelor of business administration, cum laude, from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.
    Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Steel Nomad Light adds a broader perspective, gauging geometry, lighting, and particle effects through Metal’s native rendering pipeline for consistent cross-platform comparison.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 21 Oct. 2025
  • The new Studio introduces an intuitive Smart Machining Wizard that automatically analyzes project geometry and recommends optimal toolpath parameters.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Haney argued that Rinderknecht has no history of mental health issues or drug use and has no prior criminal record.
    Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
  • My history and the lessons learned My record of immediately reversing transfers is historically bad, with this season no exception!
    Holly Shand, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The press materials detail 10 different layouts, ranging from a family configuration with three cabins and a utility room to a charter setup with six en suite cabins.
    Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025
  • This allows kids to create several seating configurations along with endless imaginative play scenarios.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Profile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profile. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.

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