Synonyms

deepen

American

[dee-puhn] / ˈdi pən /

verb (used with or without object)

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.
Meteorology. to decrease in atmospheric pressure.

a deepening cyclone.

deepen British

/ ˈdiːpən /

verb

to make or become deep, deeper, or more intense

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"The risk is that this third consecutive failure to qualify will deepen young people's disengagement from the Azzurri," she said.

From BBC

“Lucky enough, it deepened my relationship to my mother, I’ve made a whole solo show about it.”

From Los Angeles Times

The forest shadows were deepening beneath the setting sun.

From Literature

The changes are meant to improve brand awareness and deepen the company’s knowledge of consumer demographics and shopping patterns, since managers of neighboring stores can share expertise, Moran said.

From Los Angeles Times

It would be the first shipment of oil to the island since January, bringing some temporary relief to the country of 9.6 million people that has endured a deepening energy and economic crisis.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023