PROFUSE Synonyms: 51 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'profuse' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of profuse are exuberant , lavish , lush , luxuriant , and prodigal . While all these words mean "giving or given out in great abundance," profuse implies pouring forth without restraint. // profuse apologies

Q: In what contexts can 'exuberant' take the place of 'profuse'?

The synonyms exuberant and profuse are sometimes interchangeable, but exuberant implies marked vitality or vigor in what produces abundantly. // an exuberant imagination

Q: Where would 'lavish' be a reasonable alternative to 'profuse'?

While in some cases nearly identical to profuse , lavish suggests an unstinted or unmeasured profusion. // a lavish party

Q: When is 'lush' a more appropriate choice than 'profuse'?

In some situations, the words lush and profuse are roughly equivalent. However, lush suggests rich, soft luxuriance. // a lush green lawn

Q: When could 'luxuriant' be used to replace 'profuse'?

While the synonyms luxuriant and profuse are close in meaning, luxuriant suggests a rich and splendid abundance. // a luxuriant beard

Q: When would 'prodigal' be a good substitute for 'profuse'?

The words prodigal and profuse are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, prodigal implies reckless or wasteful lavishness threatening to lead to early exhaustion of resources. // prodigal spending

profuse

adjective

prə-ˈfyüs

Definition of profuse

as in lavish

pouring forth in great amounts we received profuse thanks for our efforts a profuse rush of water from the collapsing dike

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How is the word profuse distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of profuse are exuberant, lavish, lush, luxuriant, and prodigal. While all these words mean "giving or given out in great abundance," profuse implies pouring forth without restraint.

profuse apologies

In what contexts can exuberant take the place of profuse?

The synonyms exuberant and profuse are sometimes interchangeable, but exuberant implies marked vitality or vigor in what produces abundantly.

an exuberant imagination

Where would lavish be a reasonable alternative to profuse?

While in some cases nearly identical to profuse, lavish suggests an unstinted or unmeasured profusion.

a lavish party

When is lush a more appropriate choice than profuse?

In some situations, the words lush and profuse are roughly equivalent. However, lush suggests rich, soft luxuriance.

a lush green lawn

When could luxuriant be used to replace profuse?

While the synonyms luxuriant and profuse are close in meaning, luxuriant suggests a rich and splendid abundance.

a luxuriant beard

When would prodigal be a good substitute for profuse?

The words prodigal and profuse are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, prodigal implies reckless or wasteful lavishness threatening to lead to early exhaustion of resources.

prodigal spending

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 profuse Snow Cone is unlike others, smothered in small but profuse white blooms. — Adrian Higgins, Washington Post, 27 May 2021 Spatter cones, which are volcanic mounds built up on top of a vent or fissure emitting profuse amounts of lava, were confirmed to be vulnerable to collapse, suggesting they could be targeted in the future. — Robin George Andrews, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2020 Common symptoms include unexplained rapid weight loss, profuse coughing, night sweats and fever. — USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2020 Material transformation is fundamental to ceramics, but what Yasunaga does with clay, glaze, ash and glass is radically inventive as well as profuse in metaphorical resonance. — Leah Ollman, latimes.com, 5 July 2019 See All Example Sentences for profuse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for profuse

Adjective

Lin has been a steady hand in Netflix’s film operations for two-and-a-half years, ushered in to stop the lavish spending of the streamer’s formative Scott Stuber era.

— Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026
World-class accommodations and dining, wellness facilities, and an array of indulgent activities and events are transforming harbors into truly lavish havens.

— Chrissie McClatchie, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of lavish

Adjective

Verity is indisposed, and her husband, Jeremy (Josh Hartnett), is looking for someone to take over her series and come stay at their Vermont house and go through his wife’s copious notes and outlines.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
She has been incapacitated after a car accident but has left copious notes for the next book in a series.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of copious

Adjective

Though local talent is abundant, there are few resources to develop homegrown IP.

— Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
By ditching expensive cobalt and nickel for cheap, abundant iron, automakers lower costs while creating a battery that is safer and less prone to fire.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of abundant

Adjective

Elsewhere in the store, staff were busy stocking shelves, and most products were in plentiful supply.

— JOHN LEICESTER, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
Fraser is not alone in picking his second right away; Alex makes Matt his lead deckhand, given his plentiful experience.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of plentiful

Adjective

Dry eye disease is tied to excessive tear evaporation or inflammation on the eye’s surface.

— Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026
The researchers also reported that giving testosterone after injury reduced the excessive cardiovascular reactivity caused by traumatic brain injury in their model.

— Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of excessive

Adjective

For the film, Cowan dug into the idea of the modern debutante dress, looking to the annual Le Bal des Débutantes in Paris for inspiration, while working in ample femininity and polish.

— Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Observers say that even with ample power, Beijing’s vision has its limits.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of ample

Browse Nearby Words

profundity

profuse

profusion

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“Profuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/profuse. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of profuse

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