deepen

verb

deep·​en ˈdē-pən How to pronounce deepen (audio)
deepened; deepening ˈdē-pə-niŋ How to pronounce deepen (audio)
ˈdēp-niŋ
Synonyms of deepennext

transitive verb

: to make deep or deeper

intransitive verb

: to become deeper or more profound

Synonyms of deepen

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Examples of deepen in a Sentence

They deepened the river so that larger boats could sail through. Age had deepened the lines in his face. The water deepens toward the center of the river. Her powerful words deepened our commitment to the cause. The vacation together deepened their relationship with each other. The mystery was deepened by her silence. This class will deepen your understanding of economics. Living in the country's capital had deepened her knowledge of politics.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The beauty founder is deepening the brand’s long-standing commitment to women with a $5 million, three-year partnership with the Foundation for Women’s Health, marking Rhode’s largest philanthropic investment to date. — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026 The short film, Prelude to The End, continues the story of the character Astrid while also deepening the narrative of The Dying Word with new voices, additional characters, and settings. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2026 Slow-roasting Japanese sweet potatoes flesh-side down releases their natural sugars, caramelizing and deepening their sweetness. — Rachel Gurjar, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Oct. 2026 Organizers tied the showcase to the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Japan, and said it is meant to deepen links between the two cities. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deepen

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of deepen was in 1600

Rhymes for deepen

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Browse Nearby Words

deep ecology
deepen
deepeningly
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Cite this Entry

“Deepen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deepen. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

deepen

verb
deep·​en ˈdē-pən How to pronounce deepen (audio)
deepened; deepening ˈdēp-(ə-)niŋ How to pronounce deepen (audio)
: to make or become deep or deeper
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