deepen

American

[dee-puhn] / ˈdi pən /

verb (used with or without object)

to make or become deep or deeper.

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

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.

Civil liberties groups have reacted to the 2026 race by trying to deepen, not dampen, voter engagement.

From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2026

Qatar's prime minister told Iran's top diplomat Abbas Araghchi in a phone call that using the Strait of Hormuz as a "pressure card" will only deepen the Middle East crisis, the Qatari foreign ministry said.

From Barron's • May 10, 2026

As the channels deepen and widen, parts of the ice shelf may thin unevenly, reducing the shelf's overall structural stability.

From Science Daily • May 10, 2026

There are also concerns that unless there is a permanent deal to end the conflict with Iran, with guarantees that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, the economic strain could deepen further.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

Mabel's breaths deepen and steady with sleep, and I am awake, mind swarming.

From "We Are Okay" by Nina LaCour

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