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deep

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noun

1
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

3

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
Nevertheless, the play highlighted three under-the-radar players who have been critical for this Panthers team on their latest deep playoff run. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 22 May 2025 But according to recent discoveries made at volcanoes in Hawai’i, trace amounts of some of those coveted metals are seeping up from the planet’s deepest reaches. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 22 May 2025
Noun
In time’s deeps, everything begins to engulf us, red galaxies winking from the end. Julie Swarstad Johnson, Scientific American, 18 Mar. 2025 After inspecting the area, Jumper discovered the sounds came from a dog trapped in a 12-foot-deep well underneath the house. Rachel McRady, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deep
Adjective
  • These individuals typically struggle to delegate or seek support, which can result in a profound sense of isolation.
    Lisa Bodell, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
  • His compelling experience reflects a profound love for branding and a remarkable comfort in front of the camera.
    Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • In fact, with one of the lowest average ages in the whole of the Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain this season has become a team known for its young, hardworking and likeable core group of players – Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Barcola and Doué have all garnered plaudits.
    Jamie Barton, CNN Money, 31 May 2025
  • Steer clear of puddles - Driving into puddles or low areas of rainwater can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 31 May 2025
Adjective
  • Denim shifts toward a mysterious direction in Blooming Darkness.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 27 May 2025
  • Carlton Reid Based on 20 years of observations by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, new research sheds light on one of the solar system’s most mysterious planets.
    Ryan Waniata, Wired News, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • Everyone knows Gaudí’s architecture; his furniture is a more esoteric thing.
    Anthony Paletta, Curbed, 20 May 2025
  • His tastes ebbed and flowed between aggressive music and more esoteric tastes, as his collaborators came to range from Richard Thompson to Hal Willner, whose tribute to Federico Fellini and Nino Rota included contributions from Thomas, as did a collection of sea shanties.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • At first unsure, Ester allows the guy to touch her, and as a viewer the scene is ambiguous.
    Catherine Bray, Variety, 24 May 2025
  • The camera flies out over the water, and neither Cecilie nor the audience gets a definitive answer, with the series coming to an ambiguous and unsettling end.
    Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • But Tranter and Bartlett said Trump may settle roughly into this range of having an approval rating between 43 percent and 47 percent given the intense polarization of the country, as has been common in the past couple administrations.
    Jared Gans, The Hill, 31 May 2025
  • Residents of Maoming, China were treated to a celestial light show earlier this week when a surprise fireball burst to life overhead, illuminating the city before disappearing in an intense flare of light.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 31 May 2025
Adjective
  • Right whales are identified by individual markings on their heads and bodies, with extensive photo catalogues managed by the New England Aquarium.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • Zoom provides an extensive knowledge base, and chat is available 24/7.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • There is no better experience than spending the day at your favorite team's stadium or even hitting the road to watch the squad play in one of the many iconic away stadiums across the league.
    Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
  • Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson was sent off in the first half for an elbow on defender Sven Botman, but the tactical shift which followed gave the away team a foothold in the match.
    Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Deep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deep. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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