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.
This kind of downtime is rare for both of them, and it’s really allowed their bond to deepen. — Alicia Brunker, InStyle, 3 July 2026 Trump later dropped it, but still threatened tariffs against those who opposed his grab — deepening the rift. — Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 7 July 2026 Both categories peak early—Vitke says the window is roughly 48 hours—after which the discount either disappears or stops deepening. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 3 July 2026 South Korean officials and experts say the vessel was likely built with Russian assistance amid deepening military ties between the countries, but some analysts have questioned how effective the vessel would be in active service. — ABC News, 4 July 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 7 Jul. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on deepen

Nglish: Translation of deepen for Spanish Speakers

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