DEEP Synonyms: 461 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

deep 1 of 2

adjective

ˈdēp

Definition of deep

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in low

having a low musical pitch or range the tour guide had an impressively deep voice

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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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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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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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as in intense

extreme in degree, power, or effect fell into a deep sleep after taking the potion

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as in inherent

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

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as in extensive

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

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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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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

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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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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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

But anyone who, in september, did not believe this D Corp was highly vulnerable, was in very deep denial. — James Mirtle, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026 These carbon molecules distort light from the white dwarf, causing a deep salmon-pink glow unlike anything seen in any other star. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Noun

The earlier Supergirl, headlined by Helen Slater, deep-sixed at the box office with just over $14M domestic per Box Office Mojo. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 29 June 2026 Ewers followed it up by trying to squeeze another pass into a tight window deep, but overthrew his target high for an incompletion. — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for deep

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deep

Adjective

Because something profound is happening at work right now, and most leaders have not put it on a dashboard yet.

— Jordan Dunin, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
The Soviet Union’s 1957 launch of the Sputnik satellite posed a profound dilemma for NATO.

— Ivo H. Daalder, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of profound

Adjective

Budgets have tightened and commissioners have retreated to the familiar — backing low-cost dramas and safe-bet crime formats.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
However, the 98,701 figure is the lowest since 1967, when 94,778 arrests were made nationwide, according to Border Patrol data.

— Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of low

Adjective

Someone who has regarded filmmaking as a mysterious occupation might begin to see a way into it.

— Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
But despite these regular airings, the origin of the mysterious Jardine Star Brooch has remained tantalizingly unexplained for decades.

— Eva Wolchover, Vanity Fair, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of mysterious

Adjective

There’s as much effort gone into the food as there is the drinks menu, and the esoteric array of tropical flavors straddles both impressively.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
Created in the 17th century, Japan’s Fujiko faith fuses Shinto and esoteric Buddhism in its reverence for Mount Fuji, the country’s highest peak.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of esoteric

Adjective

But the future of early-career employment is increasingly ambiguous, largely due to the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

— Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
From here on out, the authorship of Tae-ju’s life is ambiguous, as well as constantly in flux, buffeted by the whims and suggestions of others, as well as by her own impulses.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of ambiguous

Adjective

Pike committed the crime over an intense romantic jealousy of Slemmer, who allegedly attempted to steal her boyfriend’s attention.

— David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026
Carnegie Hall seats well over 3,000 people, but this intense, no-frills performance film gives life to the old saying about feeling alone in a crowd.

— Damon Wise, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of intense

Adjective

Early on, Sakurai exploits the inherent absurdity of telling a story populated by so many ludicrous characters.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
But the broader takeaway here is that the inherent volatility of oil and gas prices is a persistent vulnerability in the US economy that can only be solved by limiting exposure to these energy sources.

— Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of inherent

Adjective

California sought to adopt a price cap law this year as well, though the bill, which faced extensive lobbying from ticket resale platform StubHub, had failed.

— Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026
Explain when your engagement is too extensive, when another type of provider may be a better fit and what responsibilities remain with the client.

— Dennis Kirwan, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of extensive

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deems

deep

deepen

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Style

“Deep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deep. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of deep

adjective

noun

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Synonyms of deep

adjective

noun

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