deepen

American  

[dee-puhn] / ˈdi pən /

verb (used with or without object)

1. to make or become deep or deeper: deep.

   Larger ships will be able to navigate the river after the main channel is deepened. The shadows deepened toward late afternoon.

2. Meteorology. to decrease in atmospheric pressure.

   a deepening cyclone.

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deepen British  

/ ˈdiːpən /

verb

1. to make or become deep, deeper, or more intense

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Other Word Forms

• deepener noun
• deepeningly adverb
• overdeepen verb (used with object)
• undeepened adjective

Etymology

Origin of deepen

First recorded in 1595–1605; deep + -en ¹

Example Sentences

During a policy speech last , she said that she hoped "discussions will deepen on how to ensure stable imperial succession... leading toward the revision of the Imperial House Law".

From Barron's

My hope is to help Catholics in New York deepen their relationship with Jesus and then live that relationship in concrete action for others.

From The Wall Street Journal

Instead of the floodwaters faced that past spring, the dried, midsummer dirt floor was so hard that even with many men working, the hole deepened only a few inches each hour.

From Literature

Syria is a fragile state emerging from civil war; the proliferation of armed minority forces risks deepening fragmentation.

From The Wall Street Journal

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that India and Israel had pledged to fight terrorism "shoulder to shoulder", as he concluded a two-day visit focused on deepening strategic ties.

From Barron's

Related Words

• aggravate
• develop
• enhance
• expand
• heighten
• increase
• intensify
• redouble
• reinforce
• strengthen